Aimée
Album: Codes
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 5
Website: http://www.aimeemackenzie.co.uk

I've said it before and no doubt I'll say it again, but the acoustic spectrum really does seem to bring some incredible talent through at a young age. I don't know if it's the idea that respect can be earned no matter what the age of the artist. If you've got the talent and are prepared to put in the graft, there is an audience prepared to give you a chance, a chance to perform and learn your craft and maybe give you a few pointers.

If those pointers come from the likes of Show Of Hands' Steve Knightly, you are already heading in the right direction and that is definitely the case as, "Codes" the latest in a series of EPs from Hampshire's family trio Aimee shows.

Aimee, may seem like an unusual name for a trio and, to be fair, it is, but that would be because Aimee is the first name of the eldest sibling, Aimée MacKenzie, who has been joined by family members Freya and Ross to form the outfit.

It was in the live environment that I first saw Aimée, initially as a solo artist, but subsequently the trio and it was the live environment that brought them to the attention of Show Of Hands, with whom they have support slots and also with the likes of Blair Dunlop, Luke Jackson and Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker, placing themselves in the same conversations as many of the rising stars of the genre.

There is a fantastic rolling lilt to EP opener "Codes", which lays the ground work for the rest of the release, delightful vocals, both solo and in harmony, backed with a delightfully and at times deceptively simple arrangement that also allows for the supporting instrumentation to be clear and distinct.

It becomes almost cliché to talk about younger artist performing beyond their years, but when the combined of a trio still add up to less than the total years of your life, it's inevitably true. That means that when you make a recommendation to go out and buy their products you do so because the band is a talent in their own right, not just for their age. There is a freshness here, there's also a real professionalism and oodles of talent. Take the opportunity to check out Aimée.

Neil King