Artist: The MFA
Title: Two Billion Year Journey
Label: EQ Grey
By: Simon Jones | 24 August 2004
Tracklist:

• A: Original Mix
• B: Dirty Fours Mix

The MFA "Two Billion Year Journey"

Having debuted with 'The Difference It Makes' on James Holden's Border Community label, The MFA have amassed a steady fan base which was further enhanced by their recent EP for Precinct Recordings. Their forward thinking approach to music, and how it works on it's own as well as within the context of their own live show has so far proven to be a winning formula, and 'Two Billion Year Journey', a track that has been greatly anticipated for some time after some continuous rotation by John Digweed, amongst others, has all the hallmarks of another future classic from this up and coming duo.

Eerie is one word you could use to describe the 'Original Mix', but that would be selling it short as it's a far more complex track than that and as such deserves much more appreciation. Led by a subtle bassline, random effects and drum arrangements fall over the top, creating a unique and exciting soundscape where the hypnotic bass lures you into the dark catacombs of the groove, and from there, there is no return as this huge track tightens it's vice like grip on both you and the dancefloor.

The 'Dirty Fours' take the track kicking and screaming down the dirty house route, rapid beats and swirling sounds dropping over the rocking groove as it rolls out from the initial onset of the mix. Dropping back to let the vocal take prominence, soon we are locked into a solid driving tempo where the bass leads through various layers of smooth effects, before slipping into a down and dirty finale that beckons for you to get your head down as the grittiness takes over.

Again, something different from The MFA, whom not wanting to get stuck in a niche always aim to redefine themselves with each release, and whilst this falls slightly short of the quality of their prior singles, it's well produced and a lot better than a lot of other music out there right now, and another excellent release from EQ Grey.