Hospital Records head honcho Tony Colman, AKA London Elektricity, is the guest at the final Drum and Bass Sessions of 2008. Few people have influenced Drum and Bass as much as Colman in the last few years. He has signed to his label arguably the genre's best producer of the last decade, High Contrast, toured with an award-winning live band and developed the Hospitality DJ event into a national institution in Britain.
Drum and bass was waning in the late 1990s (when Colman started Hospital Records with producer Chris Goss) as the dance scene focused on the now long-gone U.K. garage scene and big beat. But the label helped the genre develop a more soulful sound, and commercial success and critical acclaim followed.
London Elektricity is unlikely to surprise with his selection of records on the night: Soulful drum and bass that combines acid-jazz samples, breaks and uplifting melodies reminiscent of the happy hardcore era of dance music will attract a large crowd more than willing to fill the dance floor. London Elektricity will be joined on stage by longtime collaborator MC Wrec.
London Elektricity plays at Osaka Triangle on Friday (¥3,000), Unit in Daikanyama, Tokyo, on Saturday night (¥4,000), and Club China Town in Hiroshima on Monday (¥4,000). www.dbs-tokyo.com
