Name: Optical - 'Sleepless' (Artcore 2 LP) 1996 by Optical ☣ in 3-d like-revive
Duration: 7 min 7 s
Description: One of the very first releases I had as Optical from 1996...I was exploring all the styles of DnB I could at that point and this was a track aimed at capturing the jazz and funk sounds I loved growing up. Not a style I am associated with these days I guess but still a time where I learnt a lot about making music.

Ah 1996 :) H@sh, incense sticks, tie-dye t shirts and the steady rotation of Artcore 2 🔥🔥🔥

Got this on a white when it came out - used to play loads - never knew it was you Optical :)

thanks for sharing those artcore cd's were classic

3-d like-revive

The Lee Garden Historical Preservation Society

All 7

One of the very first releases I had as Optical from 1996...I was exploring all the styles of DnB I could at that point and this was a track aimed at capturing the jazz and funk sounds I loved growing up. Not a style I am associated with these days I guess but still a time where I learnt a lot about making music.

Optical - 'Sleepless' (Artcore 2 LP) 1996

A Dead Man's Name

KRMA - W.O.A.H

Golden Hour

Nebula - Imagination [Scientific Wax Retro, SWR007]

Tracklist

LTJ Bukem

4 Hero - Angry People [Reinforced]
Nookie - Gonna Be Alright (Cloud 9 Remix) [Reinforced]
Omni Trio - Feel (Feel Good) [Candidate]
Bizzy B - Stop The Badboy [Planet Mu - Bizzy B 'Retrospective' LP]
Dr. S. Gachet - EXDK (Remix) [Labello Blanco]
DMS - Mind Wreck [Production House]
Bizzy B & Technochild - Obsessions [Brain]
Bizzy B - Rubadub Style [Planet Mu - Bizzy B 'Retrospective' LP]
Peshay - Catch It [After Dark]
Darkman - Darkman [Formation]
Johnny Jungle - Johnny [Face]
Johnny Jungle - Johnny (Dance Conspiracy remix) [Dee Jay]
On 1 Crew - Bad Dreams [Bump]
S.M.F. - Twisted Bungle [Rugged Vinyl]
Beyond The Future - Feel It [Paradise]
Bizzy B - Dark III (Dubplate Mix) [Unreleased]
Dance Conspiracy - Dub War (Pascal & Sponge remix #1) [Unreleased]
Beyond The Future - Warped Science [Paradise]

Fabio 

Johnny Jungle - Johnny [Face]

27th February 1993

LTJ Bukem - Quest - 27th February 1993

Beenoise Attack Episode 200 With Sergio Marini

Thanks to Warman for the tape rip

Tracklist

Randall

Fallen Angels - Frequency (Tango Remix) [Creative Wax]
Johnny Jungle - Killa Sound [Suburban Base]
Sound Of The Future - The Lighter (Mix 2) [Formation]
Urban Shakedown - Some Justice '95 (Nookie remix) [Urban Shakedown]
Urban Shakedown - Some Justice '95 (Arsonist Dub Mix) [Urban Shakedown]
Trinity - Gangsta (O J Mix) [Philly Blunt]
Babylon 5 - Yes Yes '95 (Mix 1) [Dread]
L Double - What Am I Gonna Do? (Remix) [Little Rollers]
MA2 - Hearing Is Believing [Formation]
Cloud 9 - Snow [Moving Shadow]
Blackstar featuring Top Cat - Champion DJ (London Sumting remix) [Congo Natty]
Splash - Babylon [Dee Jay]
Gappa G & Hyper Hypa - River Nijer (Nookie Remix) [Ruff Kut!]
Marvellous Cain - Hitman (DJ Hype remix) [IQ]
Roni Size - Fashion [V]
Goldie - Saint Angel (Album Mix) [FFRR]
Dread Bass - Baby Tears [Second Movement]
Remarc - R.I.P. [Suburban Base]
DJ SS - Black (A) [Formation Colours Series]
Tom & Jerry - Maxi(mun) Style (Nasty Jungle remix) [Tom & Jerry]
In Between The Lines - 95 Rampage [Formation]
Suburban Knights - State Of Art [Intelligent Music Company]
Nookie - A Drum, A Bass & A Piano (Origin Unknown remix) [Reinforced]
The Terrorist - Sing Time (A) [Dread]
Stakka & K-Tee - Living For The Night [Liftin' Spirit]

Dr S Gachet

DJ Rap & Voyager - Abyss [Proper Talent]
Amazon II - Bass Light (Exclusive Dub Plate Special) [Labello/PWL - Jungle Massive 3]

17th February 1995

Randall - Dangerous - 17th February 1995

Full set from Optical at the Renegade Hardware Weekender RH#20 at the Coronet, London, 2016. I was asked to play strictly 1995-2005 DNB for this one.

Renegade Hardware Weekender

Optical [DJ Set] @ RH#20 Coronet 2016 ☣

Tracklist

Brockie

Skan - Not Sorry [24 Karat]
Subnation - Scottie (VIP Remix) [Future Vinyl]
Wots My Code - Dubplate (The Terrorist Mixes Part 2) [Not On Label - RK 01]
Hardware - Bad Man [Ganja]
Deep Blue - The Helicopter Tune (Fantasy #1) [Moving Shadow]
Blame & Justice - Anthemia (Origin Unknown remix) [Moving Shadow]
Smokey Joe - A Special Request [Labello Blanco]
Leviticus - Burial (Madamoselle Mix) [Philly Blunt]
Underground Software - He's Gone [Reinforced]
DJ Dextrous & Rude Boy Keith - Jungle Theme [Suburban Base]
H & Eddie - Day & Night [One Touch]
The Junglites - Bruksilly (remix) [Wicked Soundz]
Family Of Intelligence - Nice Time (Mix) [Kemet]
The Junglites - Computer Love [Wicked Soundz]

Trace

DJ Trace - Jazz Primitives [Lucky Spin]
Mad Dogs - Out (Jack & Phil remix) [Basement]
Roni Size & Krust - Destiny [Full Cycle - Music Box LP]
Mad Dogs - Seance (Jack & Phil remix) [Basement]
DJ Krust - Jazz Note [V]
Parallel World - Tear Into It [Good Looking]
Orca - Intalect (VIP Mix) [Promised Land Volume 2 LP]
DJ Krust - Asian Love Dance (Mix 2) [Unreleased]

24th April 1994

Brockie & Trace - Kool FM 94.5 - 24th April 1994

Soulridaz 5 Years, Vol. 1

Sky Fortress

Naibu gives us goosebumps yet again. Atmospheric and heart-wrenching all in one - forthcoming on Paradox Music. Get it here: http://bit.ly/Naibu_Uncalled_Paradox

Naibu:
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/naibudnb/
SoundCloud → https://soundcloud.com/naibu

Paradox Music:
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/paradoxmusicuk/
SoundCloud → https://soundcloud.com/paradox-music-uk

Link with Drum&BassArena on:
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Mixcloud → www.mixcloud.com/drumandbassarena/
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Twitter → www.twitter.com/OfficialDnBA
Music news → www.breakbeat.co.uk/
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter → breakbeat.co.uk/#modal

Naibu - Uncalled

New track forthcoming on Flex Records in 2018 by Pesk & Boca.

Hear this track and many more unreleased/forthcoming tracks on my weekly History of Jungle show, on DejaVu FM, Tuesday's 10-midnight.

Pesk & Boca - Beard Riddim (Clip) Forthcoming Flex Records

Bellini / True Romance

Bellini

Available here: https://backl.ink/basicprinciples

Available digitally for the first time we are happy to present the full 'Basic Principles' Remixes EP. The Alex Reece and Dillinja reinterpretations initially remastered in 2015 still sound fresh and they're now joined by a 2020 update for Wax Doctor's Rollout, a pristine take on the original that has always retained its status as a label favourite.

Follow Metalheadz
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‣ www.facebook.com/metalheadz.music
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Available here

Alex Reece - Basic Principles (Wax Doctor Rollout) (2020 Remaster)

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 - 'Sleepless' (Artcore 2 LP) 1996

Optical ☣

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