August: 10 drum 'n' bass releases you need to hear this month

Various 'Hospitality In The Park' (Hospital Records)

At last: a ‘summer slammers’ compilation that’s different. A whole lot different, in fact: a release that spotlights the UK’s first actual d’n’b-only festival, in the heart of London, which was unlike anything we’ve ever seen before and is now back for its second year. The sole purpose of these two full-length mixes, including 30 exclusives and spanning the full spectrum from Hospital’s liquid-soul roots to party-wanging jump-up, hard-bitten neuro-funk and half-time stealth bombs, is to rev ravers’ engines ahead of September’s seven-stage bash. Such was the success of last year’s 10,000-strong jamboree that Hospital seems to have created an instant, unmissable tradition. See you at the front.

9/10