When it comes to boundary-pushing, forward thinking drum and bass, not many labels can match Need For Mirrors’s Soul In Motion. Having featured the likes of Krust, Lynx, Bungle and Mark System across almost half a century of releases and boasting a club night with consistently impeccable curation, the label has established itself as a pillar of the underground scene over the last 12 years. With such a deep catalogue and established following, it might come as a surprise that the imprint is yet to serve up its first full LP. That all changes this week, as D&B veteran and SIM mainstay Unknown Face returns to deliver his self-titled album.
A name that might may well awaken some hazy memories for OG heads, Unknown Face’s jungle roots reach as deep as anyone’s. A string of standout releases on Saigon Records in the mid-nineties saw him cement his place in the scene, and while his output since has been measured rather than prolific, there is little doubt that Stacey Buche has been honing his craft since the very beginning. Now, over 30 years of D&B experience shines through in a project that effortlessly traverses across atmospheric, soul-tinged territory and the gritty depths of the genre, all characterised by the minimal yet devastatingly effective style that Unknown Face has showcased across previous SIM releases. Designed to be heard in full, the album reveals its full character over the course of its runtime, with each track adding another dimension while leaving plenty open to interpretation.
For now, though, one more chapter of the story will have to suffice. Following on from last month’s album sampler featuring ‘Output 1 & 2’ and ‘Nectarine’, ‘Keep It Running’ premieres on the Mag. A stripped-back liquid stepper fuelled by ethereal pads, dreamlike vocal fragments and surgically precise drums, the track is a journey in its own right, unfurling with effortless momentum and gradually drawing the listener deeper into its hypnotic groove. But know that this is just one corner of the immersive, unpredictable world that Unknown Face has created. The rest is still to come.
Unknown Face is out on Friday 17th July. Click here to pre-order or pre-save