Early classic from Optical and a pivotal development in the genre, released on Metalheadz Metal Tin Boxset in 1997.

Optical - TO SHAPE THE FUTURE REMIX (1997)

Dubplate special mix of 'Shape the Future' originally released on the legendary Metalheadz. Purely a club VIP.
Released remix version is here: https://soundcloud.com/deejayoptical/optical-to-shape-the-future

Optical - Shape The Future (Amen VIP)

Classic track from Ed Rush & Optical - 'Funktion' on V Recordings, 1998.

Ed Rush & Optical - 'Funktion' (V Recordings) 1998

Dillinja Silver Blade (1997)

The wait is over - PB4 is here. Perhaps one of the most revered album series in drum & bass is back with a vengeance, and some are saying it maybe the best yet. 

It’s hard to believe this is the debut track by Calibre on Metalheadz, and it’s already a firm dancefloor favourite thanks to its skipping drums and variants in bass. The drums have the unmistakeable Calibre air to them, the air that grabs you by the hips and demands you move and paired with the aforementioned screwface bass, it really is a foregone conclusion that you're going to move.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/metalheadz.music" target="_blank">Metalheadz Facebook</a>
<a href="http://www.metalheadz.co.uk" target="_blank">Metalheadz Website</a>

Calibre - Archive

Fourfit EP 08

Stingray (feat. Lynx)

It's Chilling 🔥🔥🔥🔥

GUNDALFS PIPE - HARD TECH GOA TECH-HOUSE ELECTRO RAVE 2025 PROD&MIXEDbyCREARTUR 

Bad Company - Bullet Time

Optical - The Shining (Ed Rush & Optical Remix)
Level_01 LP Sampler
Metro Recordings
MTRR006
1999
http://www.discogs.com/Optical-Outfit-Level_01-LP-Sampler/master/18708
Buy: http://www.beatport.com/label/metro-recordings/1248


Optical - The Shining (Ed Rush & Optical Remix)

Gremlinz & Overlook's powerful re-work of Future Cut's classic Horns finally gets a release on Renegade Hardware Presents: The Final Chapter. Absolute war riddim. Out now: https://www.beatport.com/release/renegade-hardware-presents-the-final-chapter/1997813

Gremlinz:
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/gremlinzdj/
SoundCloud → https://soundcloud.com/gremlinz

Overlook:
Facebook → www.facebook.com/overlookdnb/
SoundCloud → @overlookdnb

Future Cut:
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/futurecut/
Twitter → https://twitter.com/futurecut

Renegade Hardware:
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/renegadehardware/
SoundCloud → https://soundcloud.com/renegade-hardware

Link with Drum&BassArena on:
Spotify → www.open.spotify.com/user/officialdnba
YouTube → www.youtube.com/user/officialdnbtv
Mixcloud → www.mixcloud.com/drumandbassarena/
Facebook → www.facebook.com/officialdnba
Twitter → www.twitter.com/OfficialDnBA
Music news → www.breakbeat.co.uk/
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter → breakbeat.co.uk/#modal

Future Cut - Horns (Gremlinz & Overlook 2015 Mix)

Optical is owner of Virus Recordings, Music Producer and DJ from England.
Bookings: UK/ROW: mark@esp-agency.com
USA: saleem@amodeagency.com

This page is dedicated to my sons: Aidan and Solomon, they are the inspiration for everything I do in life now.

"He is best known for his work with Ed Rush, fellow head of the Virus Recordings label, and as a pioneer of the techstep and neurofunk sound. His first single for Metalheadz, 'To Shape the Future'/'Raging Calm' (1997) and his collaborative material with Ed Rush, such as the Wormhole, album (1998) were archetypal developments in the style. The duo followed this debut album with The Creeps (2000) and The Original Doctor Shade (2003), as well as countless singles and remixes. More recently, the duo have returned to form with their (2009) LP 'Travel The Galaxy' containing the modern classic 'Chubrub' and 'No Cure' LP in 2015."

"He also notably did all of the engineering and production work for Grooverider's album Mysteries of Funk, and work on Goldie's 'Saturns Return' LP. In addition, he has produced solo for many labels including Virus, Metalheadz, Prototype, 31 Records, Metro and released in collaboration with many artists, including Ed Rush, Trace, Dom and Roland, Fierce, and his brother Matrix. The first Optical release was in 1996."

"Matt Quinn's savage dance floor productions as Optical (for, among many others, Groove's own label Prototype) have earned him a place in drum'n'bass's premier division.”

"Optical's pure, unchallenged talent shines through on his solo tunes, showcasing an artist well ahead of his time. No doubt the modern sounds of the likes of D-Bridge, Instra:mental and the rest of the minimalist dark revival heads, draw heavy influence not only from Optical himself, but from his inspirations in Jazz, such as Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis. His ability to blend Jazz, Funk and futuristic, technical soundscapes is masterful. From his early work on Metalheadz and Prototype Recordings to his collaborative work on Virus Recordings and the classic Mysteries of Funk (Grooverider's landmark LP), Optical can perhaps qualify as one of the most underrated musicians of the modern era. His mind has crafted sounds which were never before heard, moods which were completely original, and his vision of the future, although ultimately dark and disjointed, is beautifully vivid and addictive. Its a world he pulls you into with each and every track and only a handful of artists can begin to dream of being this successful in their work."

Virus Recordings has become a DnB scene favourite and continues to release the ultimate in DnB vibes, with artists like C4C, Audio, Optiv & BTK, The Upbeats, Noisia, Gridlok, Ram Trilogy, Matrix, Rymetyme, Sonic & Silver, Pendulum, Mefjus,  InsideInfo

Ed Rush & Optical - 'Funktion' (V Recordings) 1998

Optical ☣