Hospitality at Five

When I'm in the mood for drum 'n' bass, I usually reach for something from London's Hospital Records imprint. In a genre clogged by the repetitive clatter of dark, crawling chords and computer-generated beats that fall like hailstones, the DJs and producers on Hospital let soaring vocals, funky basslines and sprightly synths ride punchy, rat-a-tat rhythms.

Though they're both a year old, I can't get two Hospital compilations off my iPod and out of my headphones: the stunning "Weapons of Mass Creation," with its bonus CD mixed by label founder London Elektricity, and the wide-ranging "Hospital Mix.3," helpfully subtitled "drum+bass selection." On the latter, producer Nu:Tone takes a frantic, freewheeling ride though Hosptial's catalogue, deftly remixing and rinsing new material as he goes.

Nu:Tone (aka Dan Gresham) made his mark remixing heavyweights Roni Size, the Future Sound of London and Andy C as well as labelmates London Elektricity, and his debut record "Brave Nu World" dropped earlier this year. Nu:Tone makes his Washington debut Wednesday night at Five during the monthly DNB Sessions, which is also a third birthday party for the breaks-heavy Rinse Magazine, and features DJ Lee (of the venerable Metalheadz Records) and Breakage (one-half of the hot d'n'b team Alias), plus Baltimore's 2Charming Crew on the rooftop. Watch out for dubstep DJ Joe Nice when you're up there -- his mix CDs are sick.

Admission is $10 and all drinks are $5 all night. Doors open at 9.

-- Fritz

By Fritz Hahn |  June 21, 2005; 6:54 PM ET Bars and Clubs
Previous: Midsummer, Take Two | Next: Not Exactly Bewitching