Hospital Records

Hospital Records is an independent record label based in South London. It starts in 1996, when Tony Colman and Chris Goss found the label, and it focuses mainly on drum and bass. From its headquarters in Forest Hill, South London, it also operates the more experimental imprint Med School, the publishing company Songs In The Key Of Knife, and the worldwide events brand Hospitality.

Artists and releases

The label’s roster includes High Contrast, Netsky, London Elektricity, Danny Byrd, Camo & Krooked, Mistabishi, Logistics, Nu:Tone and Cyantific, alongside many other artists across the drum and bass scene. Its early output builds an underground following, while a series of signings helps establish it as a major force in DJ-oriented liquid funk.

London Elektricity, the recording name used by Goss and Colman, becomes closely associated with the label. The duo releases debut album Pull the Plug in 1999, with jazz, Latin and soul influences. The track “Song in the Key of Knife”, released in 1998, helps bring Hospital to wider attention. The first Outpatients compilation follows in 2000 and includes Landslide, Marcus Intalex and Aquasky, along with a mix of jazz- and disco-influenced house, UK garage and breakbeat.

Development and key signings

Hospital signs Welsh producer High Contrast in 2001, and his album True Colours in 2002 strengthens the label’s position. In 2003, London Elektricity releases a second album under Tony Colman’s lead and becomes a live band with additional musicians and vocalists. Further signings include Nu:Tone, Logistics, Landslide, Cyantific and Q Project in 2005. In 2007 the label signs Mistabishi, whose debut album Drop appears in 2009.

Other notable releases include High Contrast’s double-CD greatest-hits set, with original tracks on one disc and remixes on the other, Hospital’s compilation Sick Music in 2009, Logistics’ third studio album Crash, Bang, Wallop!, and the Future Sound of Russia compilation, issued around the same period that Hospital signs Russian producer Subwave and Belgian producer Netsky.

Podcast

Tony Colman hosts the Hospital Records Podcast from Hospital HQ. He is often joined by guests, including label artists and emerging drum and bass producers, and he regularly plays demos from new producers. Produced by Matt Riley, the podcast wins the BT Digital Music Award for Best Podcast in 2006, 2007 and 2008. It reaches 100 episodes and later appears at the top of the UK iTunes music podcast charts.