The duo of Quiff and Spinback were on an incredible run of form around the turn of the millennium. Although they had produced separately and together since '93 they had originally gone under the name Funky Technicians when working as a duo. While they still continued to use that name, in '96 they started the Total Science project and also formed a new imprint, Computer Integrated Audio (C.I.A.) to release material. By 2000 they found a sound that fused an old skool feel with a modern touch and went to new heights in popularity.
With releases on a multitude of labels including Hardleaders, Reinforced, Timeless and 31 Records they felt the time was right to put out the debut album, Advance. Talking to Drum&BassArena last year Spinback said:
"Our first album Advanced (sic) is another record that summed up what we were about too. The dancefloor elements, the downtempo stuff, soulful stuff. Everything we love about this music. I’m still really happy with that album now to be honest"
'Nine Numbers' definitely comes under the "dancefloor elements" of the LP. Over impeccably produced multi-layered drums and an indecipherable vocal ("Future?") they introduce a knocking style bassline for a tune that bumps hard. It received an excellent remix from Phantom Audio on the Make Me Feel EP because as Quiff says "Digital & Spirit have always been with us".
You can hear the original mix early on in the 21 Years of Total Science mix below from 2017 that accompanied the Drum&BassArena article: