Since the late eighties A Guy Called Gerald has been a
force in the world of electronic music. When the history of post-modern dance
music is written he is ubiquitous: his visions, his stylistic versatility and
open mindedness had a huge influence on the development of global dance culture.
Very early on, he experimented with techno and acid house and helped pioneer the
style that was later called drum'n'bass.
A Guy Called Gerald found his original inspiration from his
family. Born and raised in Manchester, the young Gerald Simpson was moulded by
his Jamaican roots; from his father's blue-beat, ska, and Trojan reggae record
collection, to the Jamaican sound system parties in Manchester's Moss Side area.
Gerald Simpson's musical career started when he joined local Manchester band
Scratchbeat Masters. Then he moved on teaming up with The Hit Squad, who later
became 808 State. As an original member of the proto-techno legends, they
released their groundbreaking first album, Newbuild, followed by the UK techno
anthem "Pacific State". While "Pacific State" topped UK charts and 808 State's
profile skyrocketed, Gerald was already pursuing further music mobility working
on his solo projects as A Guy Called Gerald. Finding a modern influence through
Detroit techno and Chicago house, A Guy Called Gerald produced "Voodoo Ray"
storming the UK and worldwide dance charts at the same time his 808 State
"Pacific State" track was still in the charts. With two tracks in the charts, A
Guy Called Gerald became an international star and "Voodoo Ray" became the
anthem that many identify for launching UK's acid house movement.
After Sony released Gerald's 2nd album Automanikk, he delved into creating a
series of genre defining records on his own Juice Box Records. In 1995, A Guy
Called Gerald released the classic Black Secret Technology LP becoming the
leading pioneer of UK's urban sound. Since then he has remixed or worked with
luminaries such as David Bowie, Tricky, Herbie Hancock, and Bill Laswell. On
Essence, the first album produced for Berlin based !K7 records, Gerald freed
himself from the constraints of drum'n'bass and
explored varied electronic sounds.
His recent move to Berlin has resulted in this new album, To all things What
They need". Let's open our ears for a true sonic pioneer.
(Taken from
BetterPropaganda) |