DJ Champion, "Resistance" (2009)
Well, lets get back to a little music, shall we?
DJ Champion is a Montreal-based DJ and composer, who has now released his second CD of original pieces - and almost none of it sounds like it was written by a DJ. With multiple guitars, as well as several basses, layered over some very nice, if obviously machined, drum lines, this disc plays a lot more like a vanity project from a guitar god than the dance-hall release of a seasoned spinner. In terms of style, it moves about somewhat, between real dance-y tracks (Alive Again), to reverb-laced variations on a single guitar line (Perfect In Between), to acid-inspired trip-hop (L6). Definitely brings a club-style sensibility to beats, but layers that with a real appreciation for the interplay of multiple melodies and a subtly bass.
Several singers on multiple tracks, and the jacket lists no less than 9 contributing musicians in the jacket.Not really sure where I'm going with that, but it is interesting to note. I have read that he tours with four guitarists and two bass players, which would make for quite something of a live show.
High points of the disc are certainly Perfect In Between, Alive Again, and So Big, but L6 gets an honouable mention. As a whole, this is an album that will certainly be getting a lot of play, but I doubt it will make anyone's Top Ten for the year.
(One Note: in all the liner notes, he is "DJ Champion", though the release name is simply "Champion", if you happen to be looking for it.)
DJ Champion is a Montreal-based DJ and composer, who has now released his second CD of original pieces - and almost none of it sounds like it was written by a DJ. With multiple guitars, as well as several basses, layered over some very nice, if obviously machined, drum lines, this disc plays a lot more like a vanity project from a guitar god than the dance-hall release of a seasoned spinner. In terms of style, it moves about somewhat, between real dance-y tracks (Alive Again), to reverb-laced variations on a single guitar line (Perfect In Between), to acid-inspired trip-hop (L6). Definitely brings a club-style sensibility to beats, but layers that with a real appreciation for the interplay of multiple melodies and a subtly bass.
Several singers on multiple tracks, and the jacket lists no less than 9 contributing musicians in the jacket.Not really sure where I'm going with that, but it is interesting to note. I have read that he tours with four guitarists and two bass players, which would make for quite something of a live show.
High points of the disc are certainly Perfect In Between, Alive Again, and So Big, but L6 gets an honouable mention. As a whole, this is an album that will certainly be getting a lot of play, but I doubt it will make anyone's Top Ten for the year.
(One Note: in all the liner notes, he is "DJ Champion", though the release name is simply "Champion", if you happen to be looking for it.)