The Egg were formed in the UK from a conglomeration of various Oxford-based dub-influenced dance music acts. Comprising Dave Gaydon (bass), Mark Revell (guitar) and twin brothers Maff Scott (drums) and Ned Scott (keyboards), they have developed a unique sound combining hip-hop, psychedelia, ambient and house, resulting in what has been described as a "fluid trance groove". In 1995, they recorded their debut EP, The Shopping, through the iconoclastic Bristol-based Cup Of Tea Records. The release was greeted with critical acclaim, which resulted in the initial pressing selling out within two weeks. They maintained a high profile with notable performances at the Glastonbury and Phoenix festivals. By 1996, they had secured a contract with Indochina Records who endorsed the 11-track opus Albumen, which was co-produced by Joe Gibb. They continued performing on the live circuit throughout Europe and the USA, where the band made an appearance at the prestigious South X South West Festival. Beyond the music was the Egg's visual presentation, wherein the band members dressed in white and performed as human cinema screens, with films and pictures being projected onto their outfits. In a review of their show, Melody Maker described the event as "instant psychedelia meets Aunt Harriet's home movies". The band achieved further notoriety when they performed a benefit gig for the people of the remote Scottish Isle Of Eigg on Glasgow's Renfrew Ferry, to help the residents to buy the island from an apathetic proprietor. Through to 1998 the band released the underground hit "Bend', which featured a Steve Hillage sample, performed with Moby alongside Jah Wobble, made a triumphant appearance at the Third Post Apartheid Festival, and appeared in Todd Haynes" glam rock homage Velvet Goldmine. The band were also engrossed in studio work on a remix collection. A UK tour featuring their unique stage presentation was arranged to promote their 1998 follow-up, Travelator.