French producer DJ Cam, born Laurent Daumail, is low-key one of the most influential artists to come out of the early trip-hop, also known as “ambient hip-hop”, era. DJ Cam’s output is steeped in hip hop but with heavy and impeccable jazz vibrations. Released in 1995, Underground Vibes was Cam’s debut release and has since gained a cult following as one of the masterpieces of trip-hop. Think a jazzier, more sample-centric Portishead, with hints of Stereolab or early Loop Digga. Heads will be able to parse out some well known sample drops that Cam uses in this sonically unique context. Every track slams, but tunes to check out include “Romantic Love,” “Mad Blunted Jazz,” “Sang-Lien,” “Other Aspect,” and the epic “Free Your Turntable And Your Scratch Will Follow”. 

• 30th anniversary edition
• 180g black vinyl pressing
• remastered from the original analog tapes
• original release year: 1995
• music label: Diggers Factory 2025

reviewed by Ricky Fleece 05/2019