A Guy Called Gerald Albums (7)
'Proto Acid: The Berlin Sessions'
Release Date 8/22/2006
Tracks 24
Label Laboratory Instinct
See Album Tracklist and Review
'To All Things What They Need'
Release Date 1/1/2004
Tracks 10
Label K7
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Like many of his peers who innovated throughout the late '80s and early '90s, Gerald Simpson has settled into production work that, while mostly enjoyable, isn't nearly as inspired or individualist as his early material. Play the blindfold test with a disciple of early 808 State and the first couple dozen Juice Box releases and see if various parts of To All Things What They Need aren't mistaken for latter-day Smith & Mighty or mildly diverting soundtrack work heard during episodes of any crime investigation drama. To his credit, Simpson has made a uniform album despite pulling from disparate sources (crunching IDM, swirling ambient, dark 'n' moody Detroit-style techno, middle-of-the-road drum'n'bass, trip-hop), but it's all but guaranteed to make longtime fans antsy by the end of track four. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Following on from Jacques Lu Cont's Blueprint mix of 2000, A Guy Called Gerald salutes the '70s funk and soul that influenced him with a mix of the usual suspects (Funkadelic, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Barry White) and a few surprises (Sylvia Striplin, Cymande, the Whispers, Mtume). Though the selections are all class, Gerald doesn't do much with the mix; in fact, most of the transitions are just plain awful, much worse than if they'd just been played end to end. Fortunately, the second disc features the full versions of most of the highlights: Funkadelic's "(Not Just) Knee Deep," Mtume's "Juicy Fruit," Cymande's "The Message," and the stone-cold James Brown classic "Talkin' Loud and Saying Nothin'." ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Manchester's drum'n'bass man, A Guy Called Gerald (also known as Gerald Simpson), last appeared in 1995 with the Black Street Technology album. After that, he toured and worked on a new album, Essence, released in mid-August of 2000. The album features guest appearances from David Simpson (who serves up the only big doozer on the album), Lady Kier (Dee-Lite), Louise Rhodes (Lamb), and Wendy Page (UK songwriter). Though his solo tracks are fine compositions, its when Gerald mixes the dark drum'n'bass beats with sultry elements and star female vocals, does his production come alive and the album become worthwhile. ~ Diana Potts, All Music Guide
'Black Secret Technology'
Release Date 1/1/1995
Tracks 13
Label Juicebox
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The first full-length release in a style that, like its close relatives hip-hop and techno, began as a 12-inch genre. The album laid much important groundwork for experimental junglists like Photek, Subtropic, and Goldie, with the styles more common rhythmic brashness informed by a bit of perspicacity, making for a measured, eminently listenable collection. ~ Sean Cooper, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A bleak collection of post-rave hardcore with a minimalism and rhythmic focus clearly influential on current-day jungle. ~ Sean Cooper, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A Guy Called Gerald's first album recorded for a major label, CBS/Columbia, is a journey through sampladelic acid house with a few haunted melodies gained from Gerald's exposure to Detroit techno, notably on "Subscape" and "Eyes of Sorrow." The Motor City's own Derrick May and Carl Craig provide remixing on "FX (Mayday Upgrade)," while elsewhere Kraftwerk inspirations show up on "Automanikk" and Gerald delivers a remixed version of "Voodoo Ray" named "Voodoo Ray Americas." Automanikk was an excellent exception to the many acid-house cash-ins littering the landscape around the turn of the decade. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
