Matrix

Matrix creates a sound that is simultaneously muscular and ethereal. It is drum and bass that feels like it was grown in a laboratory but possesses a soul, characterized by rolling breakbeats that never feel frantic and basslines that move like liquid mercury. There is a distinct sense of space in the mix, where every synth pad and percussion hit has room to breathe despite the high tempo.

What sets Jamie Quinn apart is his ability to bridge the gap between the aggressive, 'neuro' side of the genre and the more musical, 'liquid' side. While his brother Optical pushed into darker, more jagged territory, Matrix maintained a sense of harmonic beauty and analog warmth. His tracks often feature long, evolving atmospheric intros that build a cinematic tension before dropping into grooves that are remarkably smooth and infectious.

Start with the album 'Sleepwalk' for a masterclass in turn-of-the-millennium electronic production. It captures a specific moment where the technical possibilities of the studio met a deep, soulful sensibility, resulting in tracks that work just as well for home listening as they do on a massive club system.