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A lot has changed for Andy Turner since his
last studio album as Aim, 2003's acclaimed Hinterland.
What remains, however, is the unlikely juxtaposition
of North-West England and North America.
The broad soundscapes he conjures up capture the brooding peaks
of his home county Cumbria, but they come dressed in a
hip hop clothing that lends them a distinctive edge
much of the way through.
Since Hinterland, Turner took the decision to leave
Grand Central, the label that gave him initial success
with Cold Water Music, as he was unsure of its
direction. He set up his own Atic label primarily as a
vehicle for his own material, but intends in time to
take on new acts. And with Flight 602, he's made an
auspicious start.
Turner has the ability to produce music of
exquisite orchestration. With the hip hop rhythms
pushing forwards, he weaves snatched samples, short
riffs and atmospheric bursts of sound that drift in
and out of the listener's perception. Walking Home
Through The Park finds him beginning the album in
tender reflection with a luxuriant progression of
string chords. Tracks like Birchwood go in the other
direction however, with an urgent groove and weird
growling noises round about.
It's this flexibility that keeps the record alive,
and Turner's fascination with organic, acoustic lines
from a flute here, a xylophone there, consistently
reward close listening.
Once again Turner enlists the vocal talents of
Niko, with her first contribution to the
wonderful Northwest. Here a loping hip hop rhythm sets
the scene for an edgy yet beguiling vocal,
refreshingly untempered in production.
Occasionally the music gets just a little too
sweet, as in the twee Smile, where birdsong and flute
mix easily. Much better is the contentment found in
Pier 57, whose consonant harmonies and easy-going
riffs are perfect late night material. The spacious
Interview is a widescreen treat, and the gently
lapping It's Later Than You Think ties things up
perfectly at the close.
As would befit someone recording on their own
label, Aim now sounds totally at ease, free of the
constrictions of anybody else's decision making. And
yet that ease rarely translates to total relaxation,
as the odd edgy rhythm or melodic figure keeps the
listener just on their toes.
So while Flight 602 is an essentially peaceful one
there's just a hint of turbulence, and it works
wonderfully well.
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