In August 1999 Shâme were introduced to singer/songwriter Roisin O'Shea from Edinburgh. Roisin was working with Rowena Wells to setup a series of events for the Edinburgh Festival called 'Recognition'. Recognition was to be a showcase for up and coming women performers. It was a chance for like-minded musicians and performers to get together and celebrate all that the new breed of women performers have to offer.
The festival venue ‘Cafe Graffiti' was taken over by recognition for 3 late night sessions of song, dance, poetry and music. The quality and diversity of all the performances was outstanding and the crowd was appreciative of every moment. This was a chance for us to show the live sound Shâme could offer. I watched the spectacle from behind the sound desk and was dumb struck when audience responded with waves of cheers. This was our first trip north of the border and it really made me realize how different and unconventional our tracks were, they just needed to be removed from familiar soundings of Leeds. Out of all the performers that night Roisin stole our heart, that voice just blows you away. To Michelle’s delight, and mine Roisin felt the same about our tracks as we did about hers - and so after several trips across the boarder and a quantity of beer later Roisin joined Shâme. Roisin complements the Shâme sound and adds brightness yet hidden depths with her soothing vocals & sweet words. Aerron and Michelle feel they have encountered a kindred spirit in Roisin. From the word go Roisin understood possibilities and all about where life can take you.
Recognition the Album represents a sample of the trios their collaborations over the past year and will give you a taster of things to come. So our trio march on, with the help of a solid group of singers, musicians, poets, performers and friends, their work can only develop and mature in a way that Michelle, Roisin or Aerron could have never imagined back in August 1999.
Protect -this was the first track Aerron, Michelle and Roisin worked on together, it is a song of self-definition. The lyrics describe how music can give the inspiration to take on challenges and get through all the life throws at you. If you're feeling down then get out all you old records see what the music says to you today.
Shame
– The Shame theme poem is performed by Michelle at most Shame events, usually
as the closing piece. The poem describes Michelle’s message to audience
about accepting difference and diversity and takes the performer/audience
relationship as an example 
The Recognition album is now available to download from http://stage.vitaminic.co.uk/shame (in MP3 format).
Copies of the album on CD are now available, priced £12 (including post and package).
