Fiona Mackenzie - Elevate

Although this is Fiona Mackenzie's debut solo album, she has already accumulated a sizeable back catalogue of material as part of Celtic outfit Seelyhoo, with her two sisters in Mackenzie and with the internationally acclaimed Anam. Drawing from an array of influences, the material on Elevate is poised, heartfelt and gracious, although it may take a few spins for any of the songs to bubble to the fore, with the obvious exception of the three sung in Gaelic. But take the time to absorb it and tracks such as A Little While Longer, with its lush orchestral backdrop, the haunting Lots of People and the electronica-tinged highlight Hi O He, will begin to get under your skin. Elevate may be a little too much like easy listening or steeped in Celtic tradition for some, but it confirms that this talented Scottish artist can also succeed on her own. [Graeme Blaikie]