A Guy Called Gerald

A Guy Called Gerald

A Guy Called Gerald is a British electronic music producer from Moss Side, Manchester, born in 1967. He works across acid house, breakbeat, breaks, Chicago house, club music and dance music, and is also associated with drum and bass, jungle and house.

Career

He is widely linked with the early UK acid house scene and is described as the first UK acid house producer. He also becomes the first producer to place two instrumental dance tracks in the UK charts at the same time. His early work helps connect Chicago house and Detroit techno with the UK dance music movement of the late 1980s.

He forms 808 State using a drum machine, a 303, two Roland SH-101s and two other members. From that period, he co-produces Pacific State, one of 808 State’s early Hacienda-associated tracks. He later focuses on a solo career and performs live with extensive equipment, touring internationally.

Key releases

His first release, Voodoo Ray, appears in 1988 and becomes a key British house record. In the early 1990s he starts his own Juice Box label and issues a series of 12-inch singles that help shape what becomes jungle. He compiles those releases on 28 Gun Bad Boy in 1992, an album later recognised as a major jungle release. In 1995 he releases Black Secret Technology, which includes Finley’s Rainbow with vocals by Finley Quaye and a collaboration with Goldie.

Later releases include Essence, issued after he signs to !K7 Records in 2000 and featuring guest vocals from Wendy Page, Lady Kier and Finley Quaye; the down-tempo To All Things What They Need; Proto Acid / The Berlin Sessions; Tronic Jazz - The Berlin Sessions; and In Ya Head feat. Mia. He also releases an EP titled How Long Is Now on Bosconi Records.

Collaborations and remixes

His collaborations and remixes range from Frankie Knuckles, Goldie, Finley Quaye and Derrick May to Herbie Hancock. He also remixes tracks by David Bowie, Lamb, Stone Roses, Black Uhuru, Can, Tricky, Roman Flügel and The Orb. He tours with New Order, Tricky and Bebel Gilberto.

Labels and later work

He launches the Juice Box label in the early 1990s, then later starts the Sugoi and Protechson labels in 2005. His releases continue to move between styles rather than staying fixed in one genre. He remains active as a touring producer, bringing studio-based music into club settings.

Influence

He is described as a major influence on postmodern dance music, with an important role in the development of global dance culture. He also helps pioneer the style later called jungle and drum and bass. His influence is acknowledged by artists including Goldie, LTJ Bukem and DJ Krust.