A Guy Called Gerald - Essence

The Independent On Sunday - Sunday 6th August 2000

(Original article taken from http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/music/reviews/story.jsp?story=49128)  

A GUY CALLED GERALD | Essence (STUD!O K7)

The last we heard of Gerald Simpson was 1995's Black Secret Technology, which was fairly influential in the burgeoning intelligent drum'n'bass scene. In Essence, we find that Gerald hasn't really moved on from there - which is excellent news. The electronic wizardry and precise drum programming of instrumentals "Final Call" and "The First Breath", make one wish for a little less of the pseudo-spiritual vocals, although Wendy Page is seductive on "Beaches and Deserts" and Lady Kier (of Deee-Lite) does some wicked scatting on "Hurry To Go Easy". All in all, one of the year's best drum'n'bass albums. LP