Modular synthesist and general trouble maker

DJ/Producer from London.
Co-owner of Virus Recordings & head henchman of Piranha Pool Recordings.
One half of Killbox. Bookings : mark@esp-agency.com 
USA/Canada : saleem@amodeagency.com

An artist synonymous with Drum and Bass, Ed Rush has become a byword for cutting edge, forward thinking
beats. Moving through the sounds of hip hop and electro in his early musical years, Ed Rush soon became
interested in the emerging London jungle scene.
Showing his innate ability to manipulate chopped breakbeats and piles of sub-low bass, it wasn't long before Ed
Rush and Nico dropped the huge 'Bludclot Artattack'. The first classic to Ed Rush’s name, this proved to be a
platform for another collaboration with DJ Trace. Simultaneously developing his own style whilst pushing the
boundaries of a genre, classics such as ‘The Mutant' and 'Guncheck' put Ed Rush’s attitude injected productions
firmly on the map.
One of the pioneers of new sound dubbed Techstep, Ed Rush soon teamed up within another leading light,
Optical; to form what would become one of the most progressive production teams in the scene. In 1998, Ed
Rush & Optical released an album universally recognized as changing the landscape of Drum and Bass forever
with the legendary, ‘Wormhole’ on Virus Recordings. Still regarded as one of the main catalysts for the Neuro and
Techstep sound, ‘Wormhole’ paved the way for household names such as Noisia, Bad Company and many more.
Since then Ed Rush has released a plethora of genre-defining tracks and albums, both solo and with his partner in
crime, Optical. Still busy at work on a new Ed Rush & Optical LP due in late 2013, Ed Rush is not merely content
with helping shape the scene and remaining one of its most consistent producers. Beginning his own venture, he
now looks to the future with the birth of Piranha Pool. An outlet for showcasing new talent and veterans alike,
Piranha Pool represents what will be the future of Drum and Bass.

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

BOOKINGS : 
james@evolutionartists.co.uk

North / South America -sam@rogueagency.us

This "music" is primarily for my own consumption and sanity. If others find something of interest in it then I am flattered.  If you are looking for something more relaxing and organic sounding, I create more experimental downtempo music as ENSTÖRING. All of my stuff as both TK and Enstöring is available on Spotify or as free/pay what you like downloads on Bandcamp.  Please don't give me your hard-earned money. I would much rather you buy your child an ice cream or a hungry person a sandwich next time you meet one instead. Thank you.

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