Hospital Records

I don't know about anyone else, but with the recent "Classic Symptoms" series, I'd love to see more tracks from their back catalogue that never got pressed onto wax finally see a vinyl release 2x per side. Between the albums (Logistics, ShapeShifter, Cambridge, Danny Byrd, soooo many), comps (We are 18, 21, Sick Musics, Future Sound of___, et al), mixtapes (Hospitality, the artists series like SPY, Etherwood, Fred V+Grafix, etc), and general releases that were digital only, there are literally hundreds (if not around a thousand) tracks to choose from. I know I'd buy-on-site a "Classic Symptoms VIP" series of previously unreleased on vinyl tracks from the labels 25+years of work. Hell, I can think of a half dozen Danny Byrd tunes alone I've wanted to get acetates pressed of. I know us vinyl-fiends don't comprise the majority of fans, but a pressing of 300-500 of certain tracks I know would sell out fast.

Not really keen on this format (2014) Hospital Records has been doing with 3 to 4 tunes on one side. Back in 2000 albums had one tune on each side and usually 6 records (ex: Bad Company and Digital LPs). At the time I thought, what a rip off, however I rather liked that format as it offered the best sound quality. Either sound quality is no longer a concern or DJs aren't buying records like they used to. Probably the later. It seems everyone made a switch to playing CDs and low kbps MP3s instead of records. I still like my records and I like my records to have no more then two tracks per side.

Now alive and kicking for 15 years and a catalog of 200 releases (#200 being not a music release, but a book which showcases the design, artists, events and overall achievements of Hospital Records) this is really one of the most successful Drum&Bass labels right now.

Hospital Records has managed to deliver not only a steady quality in production standards, but also on many occasions, very different tunes that differ from the generic Drum&Bass "wobble" style. Some people might argue that this label has taken a turn for the more commercial and soft type of Drum&Bass, but one really has to check out all the releases before ing judgement. The guys at Hospital and all the artists releasing tracks on it, still manage to keep a nice balance between classic, harder Drum&Bass and other, more soulful, cheerful and uplifting varieties of the genre.

Here's hoping that this label will survive the next 15 years!

As a dj with 10 years under his belt, I have to commend those in the Hospital camp for their unwavering technique in production styles. From founding producer(s) London Electricity and his/their often quoted 'Fast, Soul Music' to their latest addition, the hard dancefloor hitter Mistabishi, these boys are not to be underestimated. When they began the Hospital label, Chris and Tony had this liquid, funky vibe that has steadily progressed into a dancefloor, club and rave staple when it comes to drum n bass.

I highly recommend any release on this label as well as their sublabels.

Fantastic label from the London Elektricity boys. Rooted in drum and bass they try new roads with breakbeat, 2step, funk and jazz. Absolutely brilliant! Also check out one of the many Danny Byrd mixes on bootlegs.