This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
There's something dour about DJ Cam's new album "Seven," with its slow and brooding fusion of hip-hop and jazz. The French mix master has an interesting approach to blending disparate sounds, but seldom do things develop into a full gallop here, leaving the effort feeling a bit unfinished.
DJ Cam likes trickles of piano, streams of ethereal synth work and a walking pace to his work. The beats are simple and often border on Casio keyboard territory, as is evident on "Dreamcatcher," with its old-school computer hand claps. But the further you get into that track, less is revealed.
This is the routine on other songs as well, like the title track "Seven" and "Fontainebleau." The sounds and mixing is fine, but there is no great unveiling of purpose to the songs. The beginning sounds like the middle which sounds like the end. There is little plot to DJ Cam's purpose.
At best, DJ Cam has given us an even-paced album to do other activities to, while it plays in the background, not jarring in its delivery of hip-hop tinged chill music. DJ Cam dulls the senses a bit too much here on "Seven," when a bit more creative arc to the tracks would have served the music better.
CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: "Swim," featuring vocals from Chris James, is a beautiful track. James treats it perfectly, caressing the notes with a low-throated groan here and a soaring high note there. DJ Cam cooks up the perfect backbeat, with just enough soul to keep things stimulating.