Label: Inflammable Records
Country: France

Tassel & Naturel are a pair of French producers, championed by DJ Cam, whose take on trip-hop soul is so laid-back as to be positively narcoleptic. They lead a loose collection of studio players and are themselves capable of playing a wide variety of instruments — Alex Tassel appears on trumpet, Fender, and drums, while Guillaume Naturel plays flute, alto, and piano — and soloing well on them. Unfortunately, the duo are also responsible for the bland, pre-programmed beats, which are barely above elevator quality. "Worldwide," one of the few tracks with a full-time percussionist, makes a favorable impression, but Tassel and Naturel's desultory solos on flügelhorn and alto don't lift the song much higher. The highlight of the record comes at the end with "Ballad for Cam," a septet recording reminiscent of Miles Davis' mid-'60s work with meditative solos from Tassel on flügelhorn and Loic Rechard on guitar.

Tracklisting:

1. DJ Cam Live Intro
2. Only Your Friend
3. Where Do You See Me
4. Twins 1 - Vocals - Johnny Paraguayo
5. Worldwide - Vocals - Magali Pietri
6. Why Want You
7. No Complains
8. Smile - Vocals - Deborah Henderson
9. I Don't Know Why
10. Manix
11. Ballad For Cam