Busking on the street takes guts, especially when the decision entails standing outside for six months to raise enough money to record an album. Fairview Studios then recorded the material and Emma Rugg released the self-penned debut album 'Isolated Impression'. Bringing together a mixture of emotionally drenched acoustic songs 'Isolated Impression' is the first in a long line of releases yet to recorded by Rugg. Keen to stress that she is not solely acoustic, Emma is diversifying and developing her sound all the time. 'Isolated Impression is an acoustic based album, the songs on that release when I look back are now in there with some of my favourites but that isn't to say that I just stick to writing lighter material, I write all sorts of music, it isn't specific to any sort of individual genre.'

ENDORSED BY Emma taught herself to play guitar in 1998, appearing frequently at musicians nights, she became the vocalist of a band, playing over 250 gigs as she took her GCSEs whilst performing every night at sixteen. She also sang and played trumpet in a ska band before going solo. Emma has appeared on national TV and Regional BBC news and has does various live sessions for BBC Radio. On July 1st 2003, US musician Henry Doss was listening to the BBC Raw Talent radio show which streams live on the web. Henry and Emma first made contact via email and soon a massive idea developed. Henry heard one of Emma's tracks and wanted to collaborate with her on his next release. The two spoke for the first time on air on the BBC. Henry arranged for Emma to be flown to Michigan on Independence Day to record vocals on two tracks to be released in the USA. Previews of the tracks were aired in a live session on NPR in America. She continued with interviews for radio and press three hours after she had arrived back home to promote 'Isolated Impression' and the collaboration.

In an event organised by MI5 Recordings, The BanJo Radio Group and The Vines Restauraunt, Emma went to perform at James Gandolfinis' 'Vines Restaurant' in Oneonta, New York on October 4th and returned to the UK to support The Bluetones. In what looks set to be another productive year, Emma Rugg is currently working on new material for recordings to be released throughout 2004. Plans for new videos are being made and a new collaboration with Henry Doss will shortly be underway. if last year is anything to go by then you can expect to hear and see more of Emma Rugg. The double A-Side single 'Prelude To The End/Oceans' is released in the months ahead.

I hate categories. The idea of putting anything artistic or creative into a specific 'box' just smacks of laziness. Which is why it is fantastically refreshing to experience something so unique that it defies comparison. This album is a revelation, a return to the principles of actually writing and recording original and quality songs of style and substance. Straight away the things that hit home are the craft and musicianship. These songs have been written and structured so as to wring every drop of emotion from the purest and most basic of setups, a perfectly played acoustic guitar behind a heartfelt vocal delivery. I mean these songs actually SOAR. There's a timelessness to these compositions, too. Like listening to Sam Cooke, Kathryn Williams or The Small Faces, you get a sense that they could've been recorded at any time. It's that kind of authenticity which will ensure they never date, never sound out of place. As for stand out tracks well I could pile on the hyperbole on pretty much every one but 'As You Go' easily stands shoulder to shoulder with The White Stripes 'Seven Nation Army' as the best opening track on an album this year. The catchy 'Prelude To The End' breaks things up nicely with a change of tempo, and 'Floor 8' is a marvel. This songs lyrics and music paint a picture in your mind which lingers long after the song has ended. But for me, the haunting, almost ethereal 'Picture Perfect' is worth the cost of the album alone. It's by far my favourite song of the year so far, and one of the few which has brought a real lump to my throat. Special mention must also go to producer John Spence. Emma's voice would shine in a coal bunker. But backed up with this production the clarity is amazing. Every note and every word resonates, really conveying the obvious emotion inherent in the songs. In short, fabulous. And the fact that it's a debut makes it all the more breathtaking. Reviewed by Chris Arnold