It's not every day you hear a finalist from The Voice mark the start of time-travelling drum & bass trip. Then again, DJ SS's Formation is not your everyday label...
The longest running imprint in drum & bass of all time, responsible for early releases from some of the most respected names in drum & bass such as G Dub, John B, Hazard, The Prototypes and Twisted Individual, Formation have consistently grafted at the future coalface - unearthing new artists, fusions, sounds and ideas.
This incredible full-strength EP is no exception. A debut collaboration between influential label boss DJ SS and rising Bulgarian Formation family members High Roll, across the four tracks it's a whirlwind ride through some of the genre's most enduring and alluring sounds, shades, styles and eras.
'The Pursuit' eases us in smoothly with a slinky fretless bassline, lilting pianos and cosmic aesthetics. Yearning, vocals from The Voice finalist Bizzi Dixon bring the groove together, flipping it from a lush liquid roller to an authentic and soul-arresting love song loaded with just the right amount of poignancy.
SS and High Roll take us to the future with the EP's second tune 'Next Step'. A barnstormer banger with theatrical broadsword bass swathes on the riff and a visceral drum swagger, this beyond peak time business.
'The Time Capsule' takes us past the point of no return. An insane fast-lane weave of chapters nodding from jungle to tech-step via hardcore, it lives up to its name with iced-out textures, intense aesthetic pressure, basslines that turn your gut in knots and diced breaks that formed our very foundations.
Deeper into the capsule we ride as 'OldSkoolers' lays down a shapeshifting molten bass riff that nods to the late 90s with its Moving Fusion-style warmth and hookiness. Heads-down all the way, watch out for low flying instrumental elements as the track drives you deeper into the mix. .... So much so you'll go back to 'The Pursuit' to sooth your soul and recover.
To appreciate the past, we must be bold enough to step into the future: Something SS has done his entire career. With High Roll and Bizzi Dixon on side, this truly is a one-way ticket in both directions. Enjoy the ride.
