From the moment the first stick beats out the first rhythm on the first tree, landscapes have been a major influence on the work of musicians and writers the world over.
Barrow-in-Furness, the hometown of the mind behind Aim - Andy Turner - may not feature amongst the most influential views of the century but to Andy, the dense and vast surrounds of his North Eastern homeland have added an irrepressible and fundamental dimension to his music.
Envisaged in Barrow and recorded in New York and Manchester, 'Hinterland', a predominantly studio based project, takes in the airy and serene edge of the wilderness whilst shuffling amidst the hustle and ever-active vibes of a cityscape.
Take the instrumental 'Guimar', featuring a samba style Jose Feliciano guitar riff alongside a buzzing backdrop of sax and trumpets; or the gorgeously sentimental opener "The Girl Who Fell through The Ice" featuring the already-loved voice of Kate Rogers (singer on Aim's earlier single 'Sail'). It's obvious you're listening to the work of a talented and musically aware mind - one that creates beyond the confines of the all too prevalent disposable dance music strata.
Hinterland (noun: a remote or fringe area) is the follow up to Aim's 1999 applauded debut 'Cold Water Music' - an album that has reached sales figures of over 30,000.
Like it's predecessor, it crosses over from a standard dance album to cover the welcome depths of soul, jazz and funk, with further influences of classical and even folk.
Guest appearances by Turner's deep throated rap hero Diamond D on 'The Omen' - the first single to be lifted from the album - and the cheeky old skool edge of Souls of Mischief ("No Restriction"), alongside his own nubile vocal debut in 'A Twilight Zone' mean a constant undulation of style.
As a chiefly solo project - Andy Turner produced, mixed and engineered the thirteen featured tracks, 'Hinterland'may, in the words of Turner himself, be "a continuation of the first album", but it is also a notable improvement, and should see him aim a deserved step up the ladder of musical success.
