Name: Optical - 'Blast' [20YearsOfOpticalLP] (1997) by Optical ☣
Duration: 5 min 31 s
Description: Taken from a dubplate and restored lovingly by myself and my brother Matrix as best we can. Released on the 20YearsOfOpticalLP out on Virus Recordings in 2016.

Source Direct second release on Tempo’s SPEED series from the living legendary ‘call & response’ originator: Source Direct. On this release you’ll find three new Source Direct tracks that never got released on vinyl before. Material with ‘that’ distinct trademark SD sound; superbly engineered breakbeats, the relentless sonic, rhythmic, tempo experimentation and haunting ‘Blade’ film-scape ‘dark sounds from beyond’ atmospheres accompanied with deep sub-aquatic resonant bass lines. If there’s one production technique Source Direct applied it’s the ‘call & response’ technique (the latter is also the track title of SD’s contribution to 1998’s Stephen Norrington’s ‘Blade’ cult movie which starred Wesley Snipes).
Source Direct, along with Goldie, Photek, Peshay and Wax Doctor, one of a handful of stand-out artists who were signed to major labels in the wake of Jungle’s/Drum and Bass’ popular explosion.
Around 1995 Source Direct would have been primarily known as ‘intelligent’ or ‘Speed’ artists (after LTJ Bukem’s and Fabio’s legendary SPEED midweek club, held at the Mars Bar in central London). Speed, and then Metalheadz at the Blue Note shortly afterwards, helped pave the way for dj’s & producers like Source Direct to experiment with deeper material.
Vinyl collectors please check: This release comes as a strictly limited copies handnumbered 180gram Picture Disc Vinyl pressing with a high quality polybag sleeve (including a handnumbered qty sticker on polybag corner) + all tracks mastered by Stuart Hawkes of Metropolis Mastering London. First come, first served, no picture disc repress!

FIRST 015-115 NUMBERED PICTURE DISC VINYL EDITIONS WILL BE SEND VIA T3MPO.COM & BANDCAMP ONLY!

Please Note: The sound quality on a picture disc may be less good as on a regular standard vinyl! For the full sound experience, you may buy a full digital wav or flac quality download.

Snake Style 2

A. Source Direct - Snake Style 2 - TempoSpeed05

Here we go again...

Oldskool vibes all over the place! The Lunar EP contains four rolling Jungle tracks and pays tribute to this very special 90's sound. Expect once again: booming 808 basslines, splintering drums and emotive pads.

Sometimes you have to look backwards, to go forwards. These tunes are perfect examples for a rare and classic sound, which will definitely stand the test of time. So just have a listen or two and maybe you will be inspired from this EP!

Acid_Lab gives shout out’s and big up's to the Oldskool and so on to labels like: Reinforced, Good Looking, Moving Shadow or Certificate 18 (to name a few...).

All tracks got airplay and support from: Force Recordings, Tuff Love, Airstrike, Two Hungry Ghosts, SenseNet and many more...

Support quality Jungle / D&B music and buy this release. Illegal downloads are the wrong way.

ACID_LAB / "LUNAR PHASE" EP (OUT NOW ON BANDCAMP)

Jonny L, the man responsible for a favourite tune of mine...'Piper'. This is my mix of Moving Thru Air' on XL Recordings.

Jonny L - 'MOVING THRU AIR' (Optical Remix 1998)

Two heavyweight remixes of DJ Levi's classic 12" release on Spotlight Recordings from way back in 1995.

First up, Law & Wheeler give "Majestic Intelligence" an update for 2023, keeping the essence of the original mix but cranking up the energy and atmosphere for a whirlwind of breakbeats and breakdowns.

Meanwhile on the flip, Samurai Music's Eusebeia brings his own signature beat edits and dark synthesis to "Nema, Child Of The Void".

Strictly limited white label. No repress.

DJ Levi - Majestic Intelligence (Law & Wheeler Remix)

Sharp The Sins

DEFCON ONE - TIME IS THE FIRE - (HEIST  REMIX)

Taken from a dubplate and restored lovingly by myself and my brother Matrix as best we can. Released on the 20YearsOfOpticalLP out on Virus Recordings in 2016.

20YearsOfOptical

Blast

Virus Store!

Optical - 'Blast' [20YearsOfOpticalLP] (1997)

Dark Reference EP (Foundation X) -  Release date 28th July 2017

A1 - Nine Grounds
A2 - Destructive Consequence
B1 - Dark Reference
B2 - Pressure

Available from >> 
Redeye Records - https://www.redeyerecords.co.uk/vinyl/88138-fdx007-djinn-dark-reference-ep
Juno Records - http://www.juno.co.uk/products/djinn-dark-reference-ep/658817-01/
Eastern Bloc Records - http://www.easternblocrecords.com/djinn-dark-reference-ep.html   + more
Horizons - http://www.horizonsmusic.co.uk/shop/dark-reference-ep-foundation-vinyl
7th Storey -http://seventhstoreyprojects.com/djinn-dark-reference-ep-foundation-x-12-vinyl/

Dark Reference EP

Destructive Consequence (Foundation X) [clip]

Decoder ‎– Encrypted
Label: Tech Itch Recordings ‎– TI024, Tech Itch Recordings ‎– TI 024
Format: 2 × Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM 
Country: UK
Released: Oct 1999

Encrypted EP (TI024)

Decoder - Last Stop

Signature

B-KEY - Man Of Science [Sci Limited, SCILTD007]

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

Optical - 'Blast' [20YearsOfOpticalLP] (1997)

Optical ☣

Recent comments

Discroll.Drum'n'bass listener cince 1996🤏🏻

Discroll.Drum'n'bass listener cince 1996🤏🏻

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