Right on target

Cumbrian beatsmith Aim has returned with a brace of re-issues and new material.

The producer, also known as Andy Turner, has re-released his two classic albums, 1999's 'Cold Water Music' and 2002's 'Hinterland'. Both originally appeared on Mancunian imprint Grand Central, and will reappear on Aim's own stable, ATIC.

Aim told DJmag it was the perfect time to re-introduce the world to his groundbreaking pastoral hip-hop and arctic beats.

"Since we started our own label it's always been talked about," Aim explained.

"Grand Central finished a few years ago and we got all the rights back to it. We had to adapt the artwork and added a couple of new songs to each album. It took us a while to do. It was timed nicely for the gigs for our current tour, so that's what we're aiming for."

Aim has also unveiled several new tracks in the form of his 'Birchwood EP', out 11th February on ATIC, which features a collaboration with rappers QNC and a remix from one of ATIC's latest signings.

"The title track is from the album 'Flight 602', and there's also a brand new thing that I've done called 'Corliss Avenue North'. That was gonna be on the album, but it had a sample that got knocked back. It ended up being taken out and I worked on it over time."

"There's a track with rappers QNC, 'Before...', that's totally exclusive to that EP, and then there's a remix of 'Northwest', which a guy called Gripper did for us. We signed him to our label last year. It's a pretty fat EP, I'm quite happy with it," Aim smiled.

Next on the menu, Aim has his sights on developing ATIC and he's readying several new albums from his recent signings for release in 2008.

"The next record is by Death of the Neighbourhood, out in January, and that's the alter ego of a guy called Steven Jones, aka Baby Bird. Then there's the Gripper album, 'A Life of Consummate Ease', in March. Then as soon as I get back off tour I'm working on Niko's second album."

Looks like Aim's right on target for 2008!