Higher Intelligence Agency was founded in 1992 by Bobby Bird during the heady days of Birmingham's legendary Oscillate nights, where he improvised & performed live, developing HIA's signature sound, as well being a resident selector . In 1993 HIA released the ambient dub classic 'Colourform' LP on Beyond Records.

This record is a reissue of HIA's 1993 Ambient Dub classic 'Colourform' album, originally released on Beyond Records, now re issued on Headphone as 2 x 12" vinyl, with a fresh new cut by the legendary mastering engineer & elecronic music producer Stefan Betke (Pole / Scape Mastering). Colourform received critical acclaim and favourable reviews on its release, and continues to be widely played to this day, with new generations discovering the music of HIA via digital platforms as well as through occaisional live HIA performances. These have included perfromance at the Detroit Electronic Music festival in 2007, at Beyond The Tracks Festival Birmingham 2017 , O.Z.O.R.A. festival Hungary 2018, and Oscillate Club 2019. More live dates are planned for 2020, including at Houghton Festival, Glastonbury and O.Z.O.R.A.

Reviews:

Tony Corbin – Echoes 1993
"Beyond Records' Ambient Dub Compilations have provided us with some of the countries most innovative and exciting electronic dance music over the last couple of years, not least from the Higher Intelligence Agency whose 'Speedlearn' single caused more than a ripple in ambient/trance circles earlier this year. The said single, in all its minimalistic hypnodub glory, is included on this, their debut set, as is 'Ketamine Entity', the ridiculously catchy ascending bass riff and trippy echoed beat highlights the groups dub sensibility….the album is quite a low tempo affair which actually adds to its intensity, particularly on tracks such as 'Influx' and 'Conoid Tone' which contain sounds that remind me of the Future Sound Of London. However HIA's identity is firmly maintained through their liberal use of spiraling 303 style sequences. A brave and bright debut".

Calvin Bush - Burning Bush 1993
"Colourform sweeps you up and trans-ports you across broad vistas of shimmering ambience via their heavenly slow acid grooves and hypnotic melodies, with plenty of space to just step in and explore. The perfect horizonless soundscape for the mentally unshackled listener".

Benn Wilmot NME 1993
"Inevitably there can only be one criteria for judging an album like 'Colourform', and that is whether it moves the listener into a state of bliss. Painstakingly constructed without sacrificing spontaneity or soft pedalling on their basic shuddering groove, 'Colourform' is always intelligent and undeniably high. Based on their finely honed live set, it builds from the bassy rumblings of 'Delta' and 'Speedlearn' upwards and onwards, slowly gathering pace until the double climax of 'Re Echo and 'Ketamine Entity'. That state of bliss is comfortably attained "