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A seminal figure in both techno and jungle
Gerald Simpson first surfaced as a member of
Manchester's Hit Squad, who released 'Wax On The Melt' in 1987. The core
of this collective - including Gerald - went on to become 808 State and in
1988 they debuted with 'Let Yourself Go' on Creed. This was quickly
followed by the legendary 'New Build' LP, but Gerald left shortly after,
leaving 808 State to release his anthem 'Pacific State'. It took a few
years before he received full credit for it, which is just one example of
the bad luck that has dogged his career.
1988 saw his first solo release, with an EP on
Rham that featured 'Voodoo Ray', a Hacienda favourite that remains an
anthem to this day. He then secured a deal with CBS which spawned the
'Automanikk' album. CBS rejected a second LP, and he left in 1991.
In 1992 he set up his own Juice Box imprint
and set about inventing jungle, a process which reached its peak with the
release of the masterly' Black Secret Technology' in 1996. But what are
the most collectible records in this Guy's cannon...
 1.
£40 New Build (Creed LP, 1988)
Classic acid LP and an essential purchase, even if you buy the Rephlex
reissue! Includes 'Sync/Swim', 'Flow Coma' and 'Narcossa', which
influenced a host of admirers like Hardfloor.
 2.
£30 Voodoo Ray EP (Rham 12-inch, 1988)
The first release of this UK house classic, which was followed by a host
of remixes. The EP also includes 'Rhapsody In Acid'. Fact: Gerald was
working in McDonalds while this was being caned at the Hac.
 3.
£30 Dream 17 (Deconstruction 12-inch, 1988)
Co-written under the guise of Ricky Rouge with Mike Pickering, the
Hacienda DJ who went on to find fame and fortune with M-People. Another
much sought-after UK acid classic.
 4.
£30 Peel Sessions (Strange Fruit 12-inch, 1989)
Includes the only version you need of 'Emotions Electric'. A beautiful and
sublime moment of pure techno-soul that's also available on the 10-track
'Peel Sessions' CD from 1999.
 5.
£40 Trip City (Avernus 12-inch, 1989)
A rare white label 12-inch that accompanied the book of the same name. A
remixed version of 'Trip City' appeared on the 'Automanikk' 12-inch. The
original five-tracker includes 'FX’ and is very scarce indeed.
 6.
£20 Automanikk (CBS LP 1990)
His one and only major label album - two other efforts have been binned or
rejected, leaving him a bitter man. This limited edition version includes
a 12-inch: 'Voodoo Ray Americas'/'Moroccan Black'.
 7.
£40 Nowhere To Run (Retroactive 12-inch, 1991)
A rare 12-inch on Carl Craig's imprint, released while Gerald was trying
to free himself from his CBS contract. Another Inertia track,
'Satisfaction', appeared on the LP 'Panic In Detroit', on Buzz.
 8.
£20 Digital Bad Boy (Juice Box 12-inch, 1992)
Gerald's first release on his own label was a limited white label stamped
with 'Juice Box JB001' and no other info. A sparsely produced four-track
EP, feeling its way around the foundations of drum & bass.
 9.
£20 Cops EP (Juice Box 12-inch, 1992)
Only the third Juice Box release, but the beats were already getting
darker and phatter as Gerald developed the drum & bass sound. This EP is
sought after for the classic '28 Gun Bad Boy'.
 10.
£20 Black Secret Technology (Juice Box Double LP, 1996)
Originally released in 1995, this re-mastered and re-packaged version of
this classic LP is still one of Gerald's finest moments.
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