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Both of these talented youngsters are already well integrated into established (and respected) bands: Jamie with Kerfuffle, Katriona with Tiny Tin Lady. But they each have an extraordinary amount to offer outside of a band context, and their teaming-up as a duo has already proved a very wise move both artistically and in terms of greater recognition of their individual talents. They’ve been leaving audiences open-mouthed with their (genuinely) exciting and unassumingly confident displays of instrumental technique, as well as showcasing some outstanding original songs (both Kat and Jamie are also very capable songwriters, and really good singers to boot).

This is their first full-length duo recording, and it’s well worth the wait. Playing together since 2006, both also work with very successful bands (Tiny Tin Lady and Kerfuffle); on Shadows and Half Light they display their multi-instrumental skills together with considerable songwriting talent.

The opening track, Hunter Man, written and sung by Katriona, is an atmospheric, eerie tale, backed by suitably insistent rhythm and faultlessly sung. So Long, a story of indolent youth, demonstrates Jamie’s expertise for writing tunes that fit his words like a glove, as does Stopped Clock, with its halting rhythm and epic theme of subjection and retribution.

This CD arrived just in time for review in this edition (an earlier copy addressed to Tykes seems to have been intercepted by fate). The comments here are, therefore, based on rather more limited acquaintance with the material than I would usually bestow. I must admit that the fact that I came to the first listen with a benevolent frame of mind was somewhat reassuring, as I may otherwise have worried that any negative criticism may have been due to haste rather than considered judgement.

FIVE STARS ***** Having seen this exciting young duo on a couple of occasions and been suitably impressed, this first full album comes with very high expectations indeed, and I’m pleased to say that it doesn’t disappoint. All but one of the tracks here are self-penned, but traditional influences are worn proudly: Roberts’s ‘I Don’t Want To Say Goodbye’ is given an Irish flavour by the dancing fiddle, whilst Gilmore’s ‘Hunter Man’ – a number one single in a different and better parallel universe – underpins its threatening narrative with a gypsy swing.