Mood Deluxe--The Tangent Universe

Cameron has been sneaking around for a while now. The freelance DJ/artist has switched his guise many a time, and has been the guiding force behind much of America’s trance and breaks music…even if from the shadows. After spending 5 years in Los Angeles teaching music tech, Cameron has returned to the United Kingdom in time for the release of his album, The Tangent Universe, under the guise of Mood Deluxe. The album launches off with Casual Loop, a fast-paced opener with pop-centered vocals which offers a tempting reward to those hesitant to venture further with The Tangent Universe. Mood Deluxe almost loses these hesitant listeners (of which I am included) with Episodes, an exotic track with Arabian-like effects, and some vocals that hint towards schizophrenia. If you can hang on until Closer, you’re in for a treat. Straight-up trance, Closer delivers a wonderful seven minutes of unfiltered and unaltered dance-floor beats, which feels even better after just having come through the schizophrenia experience. The album continues on with more trance hits, including a very jumbled and non-stop track that takes the album’s name. Cameron experiments here and there, but always promises to drag his creation back into the confines of mainstream dance and trance. This balance – along with some bits and pieces of pop – serve as a good blend for listeners. The experimentation and originality lets you know that Mood Deluxe is not just another face in the crowd, but he can still bring it right back and craft a master trance track. The album closes out with Amber and Lucid Juice, two well-mixed and vibrant dance-floor beats that together craft an ethereal and other-worldly landscape. As they should do, The Tangent Universe promises to offer a new take on old genres. Cameron as Mood Deluxe effectively attempts to experiment with the standard dance and trance beats, but still includes enough mainstream tracks to prove that he is a master DJ in all arenas.

(Published at 365MAG.com)