Pioneer dark drum and bass label Est. 1993
No music here - visit our site @ http://techitch.com
Digital, Vinyl, Merch, Events, Members Area & More

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 DJ & Live sets: chris@elitemm.co.uk
Slam (aka Stuart McMillan and Orde Meikle) are a tour de force on the global techno circuit. Their unique, six deck, back-to-back DJ performances have seen the duo play leading clubs and festivals across the world. They are renowned for both their experience and their powerful, contemporary sound. 

They are co-owners of Glasgow's Riverside Festival, and also host the legendary Maximum Pressure warehouse parties, which showcase the best emerging local talent alongside some of the most established names in international techno.

Their iconic Soma Records label boasts in excess of 600 releases, hosting Mcmillan and Meikle's own productions and many of today's most cutting-edge techno artists.

The last few years have seen some of the duo's most prolific studio output as they continue to innovate and keep things moving forward, most recently with the release of their experimental full length record Athenæum 101. In addition, Slam have also remixed tracks from the likes of Planetary Assault Systems, Clouds, Dax J, Damon Wild, Richie Hawtin, and Truncate, to name just a few. 

Slam also host one of Techno's most respected weekly podcasts, Slam Radio, which has now surpassed over 400 episodes. The show allows the duo to demonstrate their conviction to creating and promoting music and vibes that provide an antidote to the mainstream by inviting fellow artists from the vibrant Techno scene, from obscure names to current trailblazers.

Upcoming Events: https://www.awakenings.com

Biotic records. Music exploration and DJ mixes journeying through drum and bass, breakbeat and electronica. Bringing together the dark, uncompromising productions of our artists, exclusive unreleased material and other selected electronic delights.

Benji303 is a UK based Acid/Techno DJ & Producer, you can catch him regularly performing DJ and live sets all over the world - whether it be a club night, festival or a free party.

Constant hard work in the studio for the last 15 years has resulted in hundreds of releases coming out on vinyl and digital on labels such as Stay Up Forever, Hydraulix, Cluster, RAW, Yolk, Choci's Chewns, VCF, Acid Test, Flatlife, Triple A, Skuxx, 303 Alliance, Sonic Iration, Getafix, Hive, Avinit, Interstate One, Stompin' Ground, Teknic, Dirty Sound, Avinit, Planet Techno, Voodoo Projects, NTK, Rebeltek, Interruption, Tikal Sound and many more...

His tracks have been played and supported by the likes of Perc, Freddy Fresh, D.A.V.E. The Drummer, Chris Liberator, Mark EG, The Geezer, Pet Duo, Aaron Liberator and A.P. to name a few.

Benji also runs his own vinyl label 303 Alliance (est. 2014) which is going from strength to strength and is now well into double figures.

He also runs a second sub label called Alliance Digital and Finally, a Dub & Reggae infused Acid Techno label - Sonic Iration (with Jah Scoop AKA The Geezer).

Benji303 has played all over the world including:
Colombia
France
Poland
Spain
Holland
Sardinia
Ireland
Scotland
Wales
England

Modularz | Olympian | Concrete Records | Splatter Imprint | Analog Solutions

MarekSPolzki - A Techno DJ and producer based in Warsaw, with a preference for groove and experimental sounds. His fascination with Techno music and culture began over 20 years ago. Formerly releasing music under the alias "mRs," MarekSPolzki returned to music production last year after  9 years break. As a DJ, he currently focuses primarily on live act performances.

Conform Records has built a reputation as one of the most respected independent labels in global techno music since its inception in 1997. Founded in Naples, Italy by Gaetano Parisio, the artistic vision behind Conform was to create a style of techno that represented the Neapolitan sound - one that was divergent from the Detroit and Berlin techno sounds, which were musically and geographically separate from Naples at that time. 

The platform has featured releases from well-respected producers like Adam Beyer, Ben Sims, C&G Southsystem (Marco Carola & Gaetano Parisio), Danilo Vigorito, Davide Squillace, Gaetek, Innersound, Markantonio, Qmen, Stanny Franssen and The Advent. The label is focussed on one musical thread, always trying to offer quality music created for artistic, non-commercial purposes. This sentiment has remained the same since the time it was founded and developed. 

Now after a fifteen-year hiatus, Conform Records is back - starting with the Conform Re-Touched Series which invites renowned and respected artists to re-touch classic tracks from the labels back catalogue.

saszekOLB is following