Here's the press release on a guy called gerald, hopefully it would give
you all an idea of what to expect
Pioneering Drum & Bass Producer A GUY CALLED GERALD to Release Long
Awaited Album "ESSENCE" on August 28th, 2000
Since the 80's, Manchester, UK native now NYC resident 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.
Since his early experimentation with techno and acid house into his
groundbreaking contributions to drum & bass music, GCG's art and craft
has perpetually evolved regardless of his individual successes in each
of those genres.
A Guy Called Gerald's long awaited album "Essence" will proudly be
released through Studio K7 Records on August 28th, 2000 worldwide. This
will be his first project since 1995's groundbreaking "Black Secret
Technology." Featuring sleek and sexy production, "Essence" features
the songwriting and vocals from guest artists such as David Simpson,
Lady Miss Kier, Lamb's Louise Rhodes, and successful UK songwriter Wendy
Page. Merging subtly ambitious elements of drum & bass and dub over
immaculate melodies and tones, "Essence" hopes to vitalize the stale
nature of drum & bass expanding the songwriting and composition
potential of breakbeat music with sleek and soulful production.
In the early 70's in Manchester, UK a young Gerald Simpson was found
alongside his mother at church listening to the organist through which
he found inspiration to pursue music. Gospel melodies evolved into an
affinity for the Jackson 5, the soul turned into funk, and funk spawned
hip hop. Music's steady mutations and newfound brilliance kept Gerald's
interests keen, and no later could one find Gerald experimenting on an
Amstrad twin cassette deck, stripping apart and re-orchestrating pieces
of Herbie Hancock's "Rockit" into minimal, twisted forms. His early
forays in production embodied the raw brilliance that would later
reflect the ethic of his music.
Gerald Simpson then a member of local band Scratchbeat Masters moved on
teaming up with The Hit Squad, who later became the ubiquitous 808
State. As an original member of the proto-techno legends, Gerald was
responsible, but not credited until much later, for the production and
composition of their groundbreaking first album "Newbuild" which
featured the UK techno anthem "Pacific State". While "Pacific State"
topped UK charts and 808 State's profile skyrocketed, Gerald pursued
further music mobility working on his solo projects as A Guy Called
Gerald. Finding a modern influence through Detroit techno and Chicago
house, A Guy Called Gerald produced "Voodoo Ray" storming the UK and
worldwide dance charts at the same time his 808 State "Pacific State"
track was still in the charts. With two tracks in the charts (only
recognized for one), A Guy Called Gerald became an international star
and "Voodoo Ray" became the anthem that many identify for launching UK's
acid house movement.
The success of "Voodoo Ray" landed Gerald a solo record deal with
Sony/Columbia in 1990 quickly followed by the release of his first LP
"Automanik". With success came tension. As Gerald's success as a pop
artist grew, Gerald's need for artistic license expanded. His label
could not keep up with Gerald's forward thinking music and never
released his second album. Relegated back into the underground, Gerald
found solace and further explored the emerging breakbeat influenced
sounds. In 1993 Gerald, the master, released "28 Gun Bad Boy", a
pioneering album that harnessed the brutal dynamics of drum & bass. As
jungle rose in popularity so did Gerald, once again.
In 1995, A Guy Called Gerald released the classic "Black Secret
Technology" LP becoming the leading pioneering of UK's urban sound.
"Black Secret Technology" featured vocals from a then unknown Finley
Quaye on "Finley's Rainbow" thus launching Finley's successful solo
career. Gerald's forward thinking music led to invitations from other
artists such as Tricky, The Stone Roses, Goldie, and most notably David
Bowie on collaborations and remixes.
Prominence has never inspired Gerald. Already a legend in each of his
various forays, A Guy Called Gerald spent the greater part of the last
six years producing his latest album (the last two years in NYC)
"Essence," featuring vocal contributions from Lamb's Louise Rhodes, MC
Krusta, singer/songwriter Wendy Page, and Lady Miss Kier. To be
released on Studio K7 August 2000, the album "Essence" will also feature
singles with remixes from Ian Simmonds, Funkstorung, Ashley Beedle, and
others to be confirmed. Starting with cassette decks, Gerald, by
choice, has taken the long but well journeyed direction towards musical
calm.
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