London Elektricity
For
those that know him and those that don't, Tony Colman (no 'e'!) cuts a
formidable figure. Having been involved in the D+B scene since the
mid-90s, the co-founder of Hospital Records has been instrumental in the
development of the genre as we know it today. Responsible for some of
Hospital's biggest anthems (Round The Corner, Different Drum, Just One
Second), Tony has cultivated a first class reputation
as both a producer and DJ. With an impressive back catalogue of
singles, EPs, remixes and no less than five artist albums under his
belt, London Elektricity is set to make a big impression on 2011 with
his fifth studio album 'Yikes!'
Tony's first band was the
London Acid Jazz combo Izit - immediately notching up a top 70 hit with
the Pete Tong favourite "Stories". Tony toured and recorded many
successful albums with Izit along with starting the Tongue & Groove
label before a change of direction in the late 90s to start the Hospital
and Galactic Disco labels with Chris Goss.
London
Elektricity's debut album Pull The Plug was released on Hospital in
1999, with the follow up Billion Dollar Gravy in 2003 and 'Power
Ballads' in 2005. Between 2003 and 2005 Tony fronted 'London Elektricity
Live', bringing together a group of musicians including jazz /soul
legend Liane Caroll, vocalist MC Wrec and co-producer/drummer Landslide.
The group toured worldwide bringing their unique blend of 100% live
drum+bass to crowds from Birmingham to Brazil and released two DVDs -
Live Gravy(2005) and Live at the Scala (2007). The next album from
London Elektricity saw Tony return to his solo production with
Syncopated City, which was released in 2008 and remains one of the most
influential bodies of work in his collection, featuring the Radio and
MTV smash 'All Hell is Breaking Loose" and vocal anthem 'Just One
Second' which has been included in numerous compilations, 'best of'
albums and has been remixed by Apex to wide critical acclaim.
In 2011, London Elektricity released his fifth studio album - Yikes!
- which features the vocal talents of Swedish vocalist Elsa Esmeralda
(who also featured on "Just One Second"). The album was launched at the
iconic Hospitality Brixton event in April and the"Yikes!" Special
Edition which includes six superb videos alongside the tracks. Alongside
producing, DJing, touring the world, tweeting @LondonElek and running
the Hospital label from South East London (alongside partners in crime,
Chris Goss and Tom Kelsey) London Elektricity also presents the multi
award-winning fortnightly Hospital podcast which can be found at
londonelektricity.com.