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A Guy Called Gerald: How Long Is Now Single Review |
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Groove 18 February 2013 Link |
 A GUY CALLED GERALD Drei Clubtracks von Gerald Simpson, die auch eine Art Hommage an das leider geschlossene Kunsthaus Tacheles sind, wo Gerald nach seinem Berlin-Umzug sein erstes Studio und Zuhause hatte. Und eben jene dunkle Energie von Raves in besetzten Häusern strahlen auch alle drei Stücke auf dieser EP aus, sei es der fast abstrakte Bass-Acid von „202" oder der hypnotische Afterhour-Techno-Groove von „How Long Is Now". Definitiver Höhepunkt ist aber der breakig swingende Housetrack „Groove Of The Ghetto" mit seiner zutiefst schwingenden Bassline. [Reviewer: Felix Hüther] |
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Family Affairs 7 February 2013 Link |
 A Guy Called Gerald – How Long Is Now One of the most interesting releases lately comes from the legendary UK producer A Guy Called Gerald. The singles name is taken from the inscription "How Long Is Now", written above the giant depiction of a face, on the side of legendary Kunsthaus Tacheles. And this face actually belongs to the man himself, who got immortalized on the wall by an anonym artist of the building. It is known that A Guy Called Gerald has spent some living and working there for several years, and regarding to the label the release comes accidentally with the definitive closing of Tacheles. Fitting to the tradition of Detroit Techno, this release is again more than just music, it is a fully reflected artwork, tangible throughout the EP. Main track "How Long Is Now" is a rolling beast shouldered by a massive sub-bass and easily flowing percussions which keeps you dancing forever. A perfect afterhour track for sure. The B1 "Groove Of The Ghetto" begins like a soulful house-track with the rising diva vocals and the galloping percussions, later waking up in the dark reality with the incoming bassline and the groovy male vocals. This is the groove of the ghetto and not some shimmering hi-class party. The last one "202" kicks in harder at the beginning and gets lifted up by a hard-hitting bassline and subbass combo from the middle on. This EP stood the test of time right in the moment it was released on the italian label Bosconi Records and is also a nice tribute to Tacheles. Be sure to get the EP here (better at your nearest record store) or digitally here. [Reviewer: Mehmet Aslan] |
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Boomkat December 2012 Link |
 a guy called gerald Excellent three tracker by Manchester-via-Berlin legend, A Guy Called Gerald, proffered in memory of the much loved Tacheles squat/studio/party/work space in Mitte. He's really stretching out on the frontside's 'How Long Is Now' - a strident, deep and techy house ride spliced with tight breaks and super wide synthlines. However, the best is on the flip, twisting the Taka Boom sample of 'Can't Get High Without You' used in numerous rave classics back into a futurist blend of tech-house and broken beat fuelled by a body-grappling bass synth and classy Detroit strings next to the jackin' acid funk of '202'. [Reviewer: Unknown] |
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The Playground 26 December 2012 Link |
 A GUY CALLED GERLAD A Guy Called Gerald is one of the true legends of the house music game. Releasing material under that name since the late 80s, Gerald is back with his first release in almost three years, the ‘How Long Is Now’ EP. A three-track snippet of tech-house rhythms that is looking to reassert this living legend into the growing contemporary house scene of today. A Guy Called Gerald may be old news to some but this new release is as fresh as you could ever expect laying it very safe, the sound of AGCG is very inoffensive and just nods comfortably along while subtle eccentricities attract your interest every now and again. The track ‘Groove Of The Ghetto’ brings in an unexpected guitar lick to give the track a more funk-ridden vibe, while title track ‘How Long Is Now’ includes a spaced-out bass line riding the backdrop of this otherwise featureless house beat. Although A Guy Called Gerald may seem a little dated to some of today’s modern producers, the ‘How Long Is Now’ EP is a fair effort for someone who has survived as long as he has. [Reviewer: Chris Bound] |
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KZSU Stanford 90.1 FM 24 December 2012 Link |
| A Guy Called Gerald / How Long Is Now Album: How Long Is Now Collection: General Artist: A Guy Called Gerald Added: 12/2012 Label: Bosconi Album Review This is a really fun and highly entertaining release from one of the legendary names of acid-house, A Guy Called Gerald. There's an entire story to how this EP came to be. When Gerald moved to Berlin, he set up his studio inside the famous Tacheles, a massive & historic squatter's building where decades of artists and musicians have set up shop. But the Tacheles has just been demolished, and this EP was released as one of its final products. All three tracks are funky and entertaining funky electro-house. Try them all for fun! 1. "How Long is Now" - Tribal-tech house with huge analog bassy grinds, cut-up/broken-up percussion layers, and slightly spooky ambience. Dark & moody goodness. 2. "Groove of the Ghetto" - Wonderful analog-bass-laden funky house mixed with old-school inner-city soul vocal samples. Fantastic and funky. 3. "202" - Playful analog electro synth bubbling, great pumping beats. Neat buildups around halfway through. Extremely entertaining. [Reviewer: Jack] |
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Resident Advisor 13 December 2013 Link |
 A Guy Called Gerald - How Long Is Now If you have ever visited or lived in Berlin there's a strong chance you'll remember the giant depiction of a face beneath the existential cry "How Long is Now," inscribed on the side of the legendary, and sadly now defunct, Art House Tacheles. That face, incidentally, belongs to A Guy Called Gerald, who after having spent some time living and working in the city's central artistic hub, was one day immortalised by one of the building's many, anonymous visual artists. Whether Gerald's latest release was penned in homage to the late Tacheles is unclear (Bosconi Records claim it as a freak coincidence), but either way the British producer's first solo EP of 2012 can't help but feel like it has significant meaning beyond the music itself. Opener "How Long is Now" is a lengthy, cavernous affair, all dark swelling bass and unnerving acid tweaks, set against a backdrop of glitchy, minimal drums. The elements move in such steady, languid harmony, you get the impression the track might simply roll on forever. It's hard to think when or where you'd play a record like this, but Berlin probably wouldn't be a bad place to start. The soaring house diva vocals on "Groove of the Ghetto" offer an immediate, stark contrast to the title track's brooding mass, and yet with his unpolished set of kicks and snarling bassline, Gerald gives this standout soulful house cut a dark Detroit streak. "202" opens with none of the tentativeness that ran through his previous efforts, boldly asserting itself by way of thumping kicks and a wildly captivating acid synth. The latter sucks the listener in, leading them on a twisted, merry dance towards an impending, rumbling set of bass hits. Direct homages or not, this EP stands testament to the Tacheles' continued radical and inspiring presence. [Reviewer: Carlos Hawthorn] |
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Popperola 12 December 2012 Link |
| Review: A Guy Called Gerald – "How Long Is Now"
The year is coming to an end and perhaps the whole world too, on Dec. 21st. Perhaps you still have a small budget left after buying presents for your beloved ones, to spend on new music. Or maybe you still have to hand over your Christmas wish list to your relatives. Or you simply want to squander your last money now since the Earth will cease to exist in less than two weeks. Whatever may be the case, here are some suggestions. The title "How Long Is Now" is taken from a drawing and inscription at a wall of the Tacheles block in Berlin, the famed building on Oranienburger Straβe housed by artists of all sorts and where Simpson had a studio. The structure has only recently been closed down. The same titled first track is soaked in deepness and perfect for the moment when dawn creeps in; its slow pace and pulsating sounds have the capacity to prolong the night vibe. A similar profundity and unhurriedness is present in "The Groove Of The Ghetto" though here Simpson has added typical house elements such as black vocal samples, congas and a guitar lick which work just right. Lastly, "202" seems to be more rudimentary though it is equally well-crafted. But it is the overt contrast between fat, low pitches and high tones that makes for an interesting and apparently scouring texture. And if the Earth hasn’t blown up because of some Mayan curse, Shifted has made sure 2012 ends with a blast. Luke Slater’s Mote Evolver just brought out a new ep by this talented, London-based producer consisting of four expressions of pure electronic savagery. You can notice how the man has evolved in a more consisting and more distinctive direction, although his debut album (on the same label) from earlier this year already proved his potential. Shifted‘s tracks remind one of the works of the big names in British techno but they do have a particular individuality as well. I do not say this unthinkingly. Listening to "Bloodless", I could not help recalling productions from the U.K. from around 1998: it has a similar looped structure, rather uncomplicated beat pattern and metallic sounds on top. Moreover, it openly flirts with an industrial (let’s just call it warehouse-like) sensibility, which obviously makes it appropriate for a certain kind of techno venue. The beat in the opening "Razor" is in its turn more thudding; it substantiates an admirably efficient piece of hypnotic repetition. All of the pieces can be played relatively slow to really fast. In the first case, the intoxicating effect will be pertinent, in the latter case these will be menacing mischief-makers. Think about it, the Mayan jinx may have come in the form of dark techno. A Guy Called Gerald – "How Long Is Now" is out on vinyl since December 1st (vinyl) and will be out on December 24th (digital) [Reviewer: Unknown] |
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DJ Forum IT 10 December 2012 Link |
 A Guy Called Gerald "How Long Is Now EP" [BOSCONI] La famiglia Bosconi apre le sue porte per accogliere una leggenda vivente come Gerald Simpson aka A Guy Called Gerald,riconosciuto come uno dei massimi esponenti della storia dell’house made in Uk. Partiamo dalla title track "How Long Is Now" che ci teletrasporta in un ambiente astratto "soffocato" da synth micidiali che riuscirebbero a luccicare anche nel bel mezzo della notte. Gerald con la traccia "Groove Of The Ghetto" ci impartisce lezioni di old school dal forte imprint americano. L’ep si chiude con il potente beat della traccia "202″ che trasuda acid in ogni suo secondo. "How Long Is Now" è un ep per palati fini che ribadisce come il passato non sia mai passato e viceversa per il presente. Semplicemente House Music…. OUR RATING: 8.5 [Reviewer: Unknown] |
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Ibiza Voice 4 December 2012 Link |
 Artist: A Guy Called Gerald
Off the top of my head, I can't think of anyone who has survived the vast expanse of the current electronic music boom, and remained as in the shadows as Gerald Simpson. From 'Voodoo Ray' on 1988, to the seminal 'Black Secret Technology' in 1995, and then on to 'Proto Acid The BerlIn Sessions' in 2006, he has never compromised and always innovated in his own understated way. This, his latest offering, for forward-thinking house imprint Bosconi, takes its title from an inscription on the wall of the Tacheles, a building in which Gerald lived on arriving in Berlin. And, while it may not mark its place in the pantheon of electronic grooves quite as emphatically as those releases already mentioned, it's very competent and distinctive nonetheless.
The three tracks here each offer a relative change of pace from each other but are united by a funky undertow and a reductive, compressed outlook which, although may not be all the rage these days, is very well conducted and overrides any prejudices. 'Groove Of The Ghetto' is perhaps the most distinctive tune here. Pairing a diva's vocal with bass-squelches, dubby flourishes and a (possibly Gerald's) spoken word may not seem like advanced sonic detailing, but it works well and, in doing so manages to avoid the obvious.
'How Long Is Now' is a sinister-sounding clicky piece of stalking funk, the type of track to be mixed in and out of others but with enough highlights to make a difference when it emerges without any extra embellishment. It sounds like something that could have been released on Prologue, but buffed up to a sheen. The rawest thing here is '202' which is mainly beat-led, pounding its way along, aligned with sharp synth squiggle and a phat bass.
He's been called the UK gateway to the sounds of Chicago and Detroit and it's difficult to imagine the way electronic music has developed in the UK without him. His great strength is not wanting to be pinned down to any one sound and, in most cases, being amongst the first early adopters of future grooves. This release for Bosconi doesn't indicate a new musical direction to be taken by the masses, nor is it among Gerald's career highlights. It is, however, very carefully assembled and, like most sonic excursions Gerald has been on, deliberately tuned to the demands of a particular mindset. And, as this category of release goes, it's idiosyncratic enough to make you sit up and take notice.
Our Rating: 8/10
[Reviewer: Paul Corey] |
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Chain D.L.K. 21 November 2012 Link |
 Artist: A Guy Called Gerald Manchester-born evergreen innovative producer and dj Gerald Simpson, most notably known as A Guy Called Gerald, comes back with this little, but appreciable appetizer after a relatively long period of silence and although many dnb lovers, who still remembers and praises authentic his masterpiece "Essence" are maybe hoping he could borrow his talent to the scene, he seems to like digging techno and house grounds more. To be frank, there's something more than just a sort of assertiveness training behind this release, as it has been released as a sort of devoted tribute to the Tacheles, an inspiring place after the reunification of Germany for the cultural renaissance in Berlin and homeplace of Gerald himself when he decided to move to the lively German capital, whose presence and impulse to the scene was so deeplt related to that place that some mysterious writer drew Gerald's face on the right side of that building together with the equally mysterious words "How Long Is Now", which have been reprised for the title of the doping and subly gloomy track on Side A of the vinyl edition. That's why you don't have to wonder too much in order to explain that subtle feeling of nostalgia, which seems to lie on the foundations of tracks on B Side as well: it seems that Gerald just renovates some stylistical facades which propelled Tacheles' parties both on "Groove Of The Ghetto" - a tribal-funky house track with seducing soulful vocals, which gets shattered by a phat bass frequency - and on "202" - a clicky'n'clappy computational restyle of acid techno -. A good way to celebrate those good old days of that area of Berlin by a qualified witness. [Reviewer: Vito Camarretta] |
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Pulse Radio 13 November 2012 Link |
 A Guy Called Gerald Living house legend A Guy Called Gerald returns with three new club aimed tunes - this time the honor of releasing his music falls to Italian-based label Bosconi records. The Berlin based artist teams up ith the Italian label for their 21st release, delivering a massive quality 12" - perfectly fitting in-line with earlier deep/tech releases on this burgeoning and quality contempaory house imprint. The title track on the A side 'How Long Is Now' exists out of within a mesh of Gerald's trademark jazzy aesthetic and house-grooving rhythms, rising and falling and short circuiting, topped with freaky vocal cuts over a dodgy, off kilter acid bassline - the sort that only Gerald is able to produce. The combination of sounds used portray a dark ambiance to the track, offering another dimension outisde of the dancefloor and fitting it for home listening. For the DJ's, How Long Is No is a useful tool to apply in the build up of almost every electronic or even Jazzy set. On the flip, Groove of the Ghetto awaits - and as the track title suggests, his isn't suitable for the light hearted side of house. Dark, punchy basslines - topped with granually chords - are carried by a firm, stomping groove and sharp vocal stabs work to make this track scream out loud and destined to be played during peak hours. [Reviewer: Boby Van Balen] |
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