Hybrid / Star Trails

Star Trails

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)

A taste of the tracks on our first LP, 'Wormhole' VRS001LP. Virus Recordings. 1998

07. Fixation - Ed Rush & Optical

ED RUSH & OPTICAL - 'Fixation' - Wormhole LP - Virus

Spor's take on 'Slip Thru' by Optical, rare dubplate from our collection here at Virus Recordings...

Optical - 'Slip Thru' (Spor Edit unreleased Virus dubplate)

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

Usual Suspects - Shrapnel (Boycot Remix)

R E L E N T L E S S

What a wat to end the day!!!
Love these last 2 mixes 
mix 11
1st favourite of the day 

More & More !!!🥰 End of my day

Virus Recordings

Bad Company UK - Seizure

Defcom 69 / Loose Ends

Defcom 69

Buy now: smarturl.it/quartertoquarter

With Quarter To Quarter, Amsterdam-based record label The North Quarter delivers its first compilation album: a manifesto and its most ambitious project to date.

The 14 track project features prominent vocalists IAMDDB and Azekel, Bass Music legends Total Science and Break and all the core artists that have made Lenzman’s boutique label the breath of fresh air it is today.

The North Quarter is a collective of artists from around the globe, brought together through a shared love for the authentic. The imprint has become a household name in just a short space of time through ambitious and highly detailed artist projects. With Quarter to Quarter, a compilation of cutting edge Drum & Bass music, the label further solidifies its reputation and unique vision.

Never doing things the fast and easy way, the album was put together and nurtured by A&R and founder Lenzman over the course of 18 months.

Lenzman explains: “Way back when I first got into music, I wanted to share that magic with others. Today that same urge still endures within me. With this album I've tried to bring together a group of artists with whom I have shared values, who have never been brought together in this way, and create a timeless statement of intent."

Total Science - Killa

Call to Mind

Satellite Type 2

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 - TO SHAPE THE FUTURE REMIX (1997)

Optical ☣