Reviews

The impetus for the re-releases has been Andy Turner setting up his own record label, ATIC, on which the pair are getting their new push and they’re more than worthy of it.

Aim - Cold Water Music

Cold Water Music, Aim’s debut back in 1999, shifted over 100,000 copies on mere word-of-mouth and a listen to it again, eight years on, only serves to show why it got passed around.

It’s a startling work of soul and hip-hop, packed with heartbreakers like the ever beautiful Sail, epic moments such as the mammoth title track, and fine breaks like the aptly named True To Hip Hop.

Hinterland, following it three years later, only served to concrete Aim’s reputation for quality sounds and intelligent collaborations.

Kate Rogers reprised her siren-esque role for the wonderful The Girl Who Fell Through The Ice, Babybird’s Stephen Jones turned out for the breezy Good Disease and, just to prove he could deliver without any help, the album comes topped with another mighty title track which swirls orchestrally round beats and samples.

Aim - Hinterland

All that said, the sweeteners on these releases are the inclusion of previously unreleased bonus tracks. The two new additions to Cold Water Music are suitable affairs, with the closing Undergorund Crown Holders taking the accolades thanks to a burst or two of unexpected trumpet.

On Hinterland, things are a little more remarkable, not least because of the brooding collaboration with the slick Substantial, Nightlife, which glowers over the additional trio, eclipsing even the unexpected experimentation of the eclectic Peru.

The truth, though, is that neither album needed additional cherries to make them more enticing. As enjoyable as the extra tracks are, Cold Water Music and Hinterland were already classics without them.

Add to them the excellent Flight 602 and it’s easy to see why Aim is such an exceptional artist. Get these or dig out your old copies; either way, you’ll be astounded all over again.