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)

This was an unreleased track from 1998, it got lost amongst other work but revived from a 10" dubplate, it was called 'Can U Read?' on my plate because people used to come up and try and read the names of tunes on my plates when I DJ'ed so I thought I would have some fun and it ended up being the only name it ever got. Was finally released on the Virus Vaults CD in 2005 and is available to buy from Beatport.

Optical - Can U Read? - Virus Dubplate 1998

Buy now: https://fanlink.to/realityslip

Having established himself as a talented, Jungle-influenced artist, Sam Binary is to appear on The North Quarter with his first extended project on the label. Collaborating with fellow producer Deviant on three tracks and spanning multiple tempos, the EP stays rooted in a common theme: Sam Binary’s love letter to 90s Intelligent Jungle. 

  Using modern techniques and production styles combined with classic hardware such as the E5000 Ultra sampler and the Mackie CR1604-VLZ mixing desk, the Bristol producer has created a unique, 90s-reminiscent sound. The result is bundled in a 7-track EP, equally suited for the dance floor as it is for listening at home.

“This release is really a love letter to 90s Intelligent Jungle and the Liquid Funk that emerged after it in the 2000s, paying homage to the music that inspired me to originally start producing nearly a decade ago”, Sam Binary explains. ‘Reality Slip’ will be released August 19th on The North Quarter.

Sam Binary - Teodoro Nights (feat. Deviant)

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

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

Fourfit EP 08

Stingray (feat. Lynx)

Calibre & Marcus Intalex ft Fox 'Run Away'

Cat No: RHFTV05
Artist: Various
Title: From The Vaults EP. 3
Release Date: 2nd August 2024
Record Label: Renegade Hardware

From The Vaults EP 3

Future Cut - Whiplash (OB1 & Kolectiv Remix)

Brand New Funk Reboots

Brand New Funk Revisited (Bladerunner Reboot)

A foundational slab of gritty darkside jungle/DnB heavy enough to crack any soundboy’s system

PKDTRX001 is out early Jan 2026, so watch this space for more to come!

Wet Cement

Dr. Monkey Finger - Wet Cement

Headphone only music for traumatized minds.

Neuro Save Room Music (headphone mix)

Fierce & Cause 4 Concern - Bermuda

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 ☣