"Inspiration comes from your inner self and the world of the past and future"

Gerald, who came to Japan for the first time in 6 years, talks about "black secret technology"

A Guy Called Gerald, the originator and drum & bass innovator of UK acid house. His 1995 album "Black Secret Technology" was the first drum & bass toe-his Tal conceptual album, but remixes and new songs reappeared in 1997. He came to Japan at CLUB FB and performed a DJ performance. MC Normski was also present to talk about their recent developments and the upcoming new album.

-What is your impression of DJ performance on CLUB FB?

G (Gerald): It's changed a lot. The kids were crazy (laughs). In Europe, I first put on something that is noisy, and then I put on something that is a bit of a break, but this time I only have to spend about an hour on hard things, and then let everyone rest for a while. I tried to slow it down. I've been playing hard tunes ever since. It was full of energy.

I'd like to talk to Normski, how long have you been MC?

N (Normski): I'm 31 years old now, but he's been a MC since he first started speaking (laughs). When I was young, I was always thinking about what I wanted to do, and I was interested in both photography and music, so there was no borderline between the two, it was one. Now I'm working with Gerald and I'm always shooting something. He makes sounds, while I make pictures. Before working with Gerald, I worked for the BBC, did MC concerts, participated in national dance competitions, and much more. My way of MC is to look at the audience, feel the energy of the work, and improvise. Sometimes I close my eyes and see something.

--What made you decide to work with Gerald?

N: I used to work for a label called RONIN INC., But at that time I was given a microphone for the first time and decided to do it with Gerald. It was a lot of inspiration for Gerald's brother Costa. He sings in many Gerald songs.

-What is the current status of the juice box?

G: I'm traveling all over the world, so if you ask Craig, the label'manager, you'll understand, but I'm planning to release it in a month or two. Right now I'm leaving the label to him and I'm focusing on the internet. It's two years ago, so I have to update it soon (laughs). By the way, I'm really into computer anime right now. The one that is elaborate in the animation of the book is "G FAKIRA".

-What about "Kou Vangelion"?

G I don't know.

→ In the interview, you said that you are interested in technology for creating more spatial sounds. 3 Lo recording.

G: It's a surround system. I want to evolve that further. In stereo, the sound comes only from the right and left, and there are restrictions. I think it would be even better if the sound came from all around.

I'd like to ask you about the album "Black Secret Technology". Why did you change the content of what was released in early 1995 to 1997?

G: The quality of the first version wasn't very good, and at the time the music itself, drum'n'bass, was just coming out, so I wanted to release it again in 1996. Then there will be a new album. I have a CD now, though it hasn't been released anywhere yet.

title is?

G: It's called "Aquarius Rising". Vocals are used abundantly, and it's more song-based. It's basically drum'n'bass, with some old ones and a little techno. I wanted to give it originality, so it's a strange finish. I think it's well-balanced. Some songs have a lot of bass and are very heavy, so I put in a light melody to keep the balance between the two.

(While listening to the new album) This female singer - who is she?

G: She's Deee-Lite's Lady Miss Kier. -Your work is a combination of primitive and tribal and futuristic, which makes it very attractive. I think inspiration comes from within me, and from the past and future worlds. For me, it happened somewhere before, and I don't know, but it comes to my mind as an image of sound.

[Author: Interview Masafumi Koizumi, composition Masanobu Kosaka]