O/V/R

An experiment in human nature combining analogue and digital interactive sets, drawing influences from past, present and future and offering an alternative to the norm. O/V/R welcome you to their "brave new world" …

O/V/R/ is made up of James Ruskin & Regis, also known as Karl O'Connor.

The rampant electro, hip-hop and emerging Detroit techno scenes channelled James Ruskins influences toward more electronic sources enough to inspire his own productions in the early 90s. His step toward DJing had already been made in 1991 and his blinding mixing style was earning him top spots across the UK and eventually worldwide by 1996, coinciding with his and Polson's first releases as 'Outline' on the emerging force that was Blueprint.

A lot has happened in the six years since James Ruskin's third studio album 'Into Submission' (Tresor, 2001) hit the ground like a dance-floor wrecking ball. Computers have become studios, digital downloading has revolutionised the music industry and the boundaries between rock and dance music have become increasingly blurred. Similarly, in the same period Ruskin has rebuilt his studio, started a family and suddenly last year lost his best friend and Blueprint co-founder, Richard Polson. Taking stock of all these experiences and developments brings us to a new composition that is a huge step in Ruskin's musical development and fitting testament to the inspiration and life of a close friend.

Forming a massive leap in sound that joins the dots between his previous dancefloor savvy material with intricate basslines, beautiful melodies and hypnotic rhythms, his latest album 'The Dash' is the mark of an artist in full control of his sound.

Karl O`Connor AKA Regis is England's reigning heir to the throne of electronic incognito. Influences for his strictly regional tastes lie scattered mostly among the early UK pioneers. Working solely within Britain's arm of Industrial might and decay in the Birmingham borough of Halesowen, O`Connor and Peter Sutton (Female) launched Downwards Records in late 1993 with the debut Hostage (O`Connor/Sutton) and Surgeon releases to manic acclaim.

In 1996, O`Connor's progress reached crowning maturity with the Regis "Gymnastics" album/double-twelve-inch. Connor captained the label with further album releases by Surgeon, Female, and Portion Reform while continuing to play live throughout Europe and America. A relatively "quiet" 1997 further stabilized Integrale and led up to the second Regis double-pack "Delivered Into the Hands of Indifference" (1998) and his first recordings for Tresor ("The Theme From Streetwalker" and "Guiltless"). Lifting the veil of mystique for 2000, O`Connor and Peter Sutton have recorded "Againstnature" in their first-ever album/double-pack outside of Downwards.

The Downwards and O`Connor stronghouses continue to remain unmoved among the many fashions and backlashes and Regis brought out several releases each year on labels such as Downwards, Tresor, Pure plastic, Kombination Research, Warm Up and Blueprint.

And now the two have joined forces as O/V/R with their first release on Tresor out now and a very special performance for clubs worldwide!