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Since the 80's, Manchester UK native, A GUY CALLED GERALD, born Gerald Simpson, has proven to be among the most innovative modern music figures. His influence is international, and through his versatility he has spawned genres and generations of music culture. From his early experimentation with techno and acid house to his groundbreaking contributions to drum & bass, Simpson's art and craft has perpetually evolved regardless of his individual successes in each of those genres.
In early to mid 80's Manchester dancefloors at clubs like Legends were vibing to jazz funk, jazz fusion and electro and Gerald took full advantage while in the daytime he studied contemporary dance. But when electro funk and b-boy culture hit the UK he left college to immerse himself in the music. New sounds from Detroit and Chicago had begun filtering into Manchester's import record shops by the mid 80's and, inspired, he began rigging analogue and drum machines up together making his own formations.
His first creative efforts were in The Hit Squad, a Manchester UK hip hop collective. There was one release Wax On The Melt before Gerald, Graham and Martin formed 808 State. It was a brief collaboration resulting in one album eNewbuild' and their biggest hit Pacific State. By then, Gerald had gone solo, having unwillingly scored a Top 20 smash with the seminal Voodoo Ray, a track cited by many as the first to put British House music firmly on the map.
In 1992 following a brief period signed with major label Sony and resulting in his 2nd album Automannik, he discovered the glory of breakbeats and began releasing a series of genre defining records on his own Juice Box Records. The first singles were compiled and released on the LP 28 Gun Bad Boy. "If there was a blueprint for what would transform rave into jungle/techno, then this is it." Simon Reynolds, Melody Maker. He followed up in 1995 with the critically acclaimed Black Secret Technology LP incorporating Goldie and the vocals of Finley Quaye. A busy period followed DJing around the globe spreading the drum'n'bass sound, touring with Tricky and working with the likes of Flora Purim and David Bowie. In 1998 he closed his label and moved operations to New York.
In 2000 came Essence (!K7 Records), an experiment in transforming the stereotypically aggressive drum'n'bass sound into soulful arrangements. It featured musicians such as Lady Kier, Louise Rhodes (Lamb), David Simpson and the singer/songwriter Wendy Page and declared by The Guardian as eA perfect synthesis of Gerald's rhymic techique and soulful drum'n'bass, c a triumph'. He took a live band on the road in 2001 touring the US and Europe promoting live the Essence album. Other projects followed; a remix for the soundtrack to the movie Requiem For A Dream and Black Gravity, a collaboration with Bill Laswell and Herbie Hancoc.
In 2002 he moved back to Europe and disappeared deep into the studio to finish his next album. His 7th LP To All Things What They Need was released January 31 2005 on !K7 Records. Recorded between London and Berlin the album features the poetry of Ursula Rucker and long time collaborator Finley Quaye. If there's a dominant style on this album, it's atmospheres – the opening track American Cars is left beatless. Or Tajeen where he combines tabla percussions with electronic beats and acid sounds. Listen to Strangest Changes feat. Finley Quaye where he returns to his urban drum nLbass roots. All tracks are soaked with deep sounds, fragments of digital soul music breathing a unique spirituality.
2005 sees A Guy Called Gerald ready to take off again with the launch of his own SUGOI Recordings label. The first release, Flo-ride is due out 5th September 2005.
Technical Achievements
- Was involved in the early advancement of analogue dance synthesis by working and promoting Roland's (then defunct) TB-303 baseline machine.
- Started using Akai's S-900 sampler in 1988.
- Was one of the first dance artists to start cutting up breakbeats: check 'Specific Hate' in 1989 from FX (Mayday) release.
www.guycalledgerald.com
info@guycalledgerald.com
GCG-Y2K3-3
Sugoi Recordings
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