- These days you'll find Levi Bruce DJing in small bars around Montreal, but the vibe of Vancouver—where he lived when he started producing as Unknown Mobile—has left a mark on his music. An avid hiker and skier, Bruce is even more in tune with the outdoors than his fellow nature-obsessed Vancouverites, which is heard in the nature sounds of his ambling house music. Sharon & Vida is one of his first records since relocating to the East Coast. It hints at a turn towards indoor dance floors, albeit with some sunlight shining in.
"Rain Game" is a collaboration with Vancouver's Big Zen. From the title to the daydreaming sound, it looks back wistfully at the West Coast. By contrast, "Trip Leader" is almost too assertive, with melodramatic dub techno chords that stand out against the rest of the EP. Bruce finds a happy medium through disco. The title track mixes some of his trademarks—upbeat pads, a boogie bassline—with palpitating hand percussion, like a new age take on a Larry Levan classic. "Action Aguirre" is even stronger, lacing that tribal hand percussion with soft-focus pads, gentle acid leads and synths that chirrup like birdsong. Bruce's best tracks marry the dazed sound of his roots with something more earthy and emotional. These tracks are helping him carve out his own niche in Canada's thriving dance music scene.
TracklistA1 Sharon & Vida
A2 Action Aguirre
B1 Rain Game feat. Big Zen
B2 Trip Leader