A GUY CALLED GERALD BLACK SECRET TECHNOLOGY (JUICE BOX)

Remixed, re-released and restating a point (with two new tracks to hoot), Black Secret Technology is hack to remind us who was thinking ahead hack in '95. Gerald layers sonic textures like an architect, building foundations from dense, resonating strings, slotting percussion like strata to create towering polyrhythms that speed off into the heavens. But it's the melodies that ring in your ears long after the fact — 'Finley's Rainbow' is still as joyous and uplifting, painting a kaleidoscope of colours in sound. 'The Nile' explores a shrouded groove, CompuRhythm beats snaking hack and forth in a river of eerie beauty, while 'Cybergen' comes on like future shock, robotic vocals spiralling inwards in a jerky, freaky meter, describing the manifesto of a drug that takes you wherever you want to go. With a new album 'Aquarius Rising' due in early '97 check out a futuristic classic before the next chapter arrives. (MA)