A name many will always associate with the classic era of house circa 1988, and a certain track entitled “Voodoo Ray,” not to mention its incredible remix which came some time later. However, A Guy Called Gerald has not only stood the test of time, coming through what became a hidden underground genre, he’s expanded on his own creative spectrum. While others have dissented from the more traditional flavor, he continues to emerge with an independent twist on the classic techno house driven beats that created the original driving force of electronic overspill.
The ingredients that define this latest offering are its ultra tight mixture of sonic creativity, transposed as fresh ideas and wrapped in waves of swirling sounds, while the red hot irons remain immersed in the cold waters that first flowed from the late ’80s, maintaining a temperature that’s just right. Tronic Jazz: The Berlin Sessions communicates it all so well, drawing on the most impressionable, and consolidating it all into something that’s fresh and likeable.
“People Moover” creates a shimmering trance like picture with its seductive introduction, a sparkling and spritely treasure trove of activity set against a backdrop of metallic shimmer. The dominant beats of “Nuvo Alfa” provide a repetitive pulse to fuel the positive trail of dance – injections of string like sounds spookily creeping in before the electronic heart of the track darts effortlessly from one way point to the next, its gentle siren calls on acidic brightness. The vibrant pulses of “Lland” marks it as historic sounding and collectible; its gentle breeze of metallic timbre lies set between its simple beat structure. Carrying a futuristic voiceover is “Just Soul,” with yet more beats and clasps to give an infusion of personality. The sparkle of classic house is a big feature with the mysterious, evocative and vintage “The Dip.” Yearning to reach out with its edgy yet mellow and soothing vibes. It stretches further with each layer of differing pitch and strength, added in rich waves and sharp dashes. “Round Eco” is almost a ghostly voice; a strange being creating a moist tunnel of sound which is sharp and prominent. The tropical “Dirty Trix” features yet more dark voicings, with an emptiness that prevails deeper into a beat driven intricate variance. “Indi Vibe” is simple, yet has an innovative approach as it brushes with the classic feel that is so synonymous with the roots of this genre. It edges by with gentle tinks, a strong driving beat, plus clasps of activity before the hook comes in, making it very vintage, crazily catchy and decidedly dance like. A archetypal showpiece, displaying daring movement and a catchy bass with essential groove. “Pacific Samba,” is a wild, exotic and expressive track, showing no real cold side, but a beat symphony of percussion until its temperature finally lowers to reveal a cool afterglow of enlightening embers.
It’s hard to misplace the brilliance that is A Guy Called Gerald; a unique pioneer of the classic sounds of analogue house with intricately sited and paced percussion. Evidently, A Guy Called Gerald continues to pave his way along a route which dates back to the novelty and simplicity of the underground sound; one which has grown in such a way it enables the Berlin Sessions to define its own genius.
The Berlin Sessions is a credible and worthy take on a tradition that’ll be held close to the hearts of those who continue to seek the original systems of dance.
Tronic Jazz: The Berlin Sessions is out now on Laboratory Instinct.
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