A Guy Called Gerald "Voodoo Ray"

"Voodoo Ray" is the groundbreaking debut single by British electronic musician Gerald Simpson, known as A Guy Called Gerald. Released in 1988, it is widely recognized as the first major acid house track produced in the UK and a defining anthem of the late-1980s Manchester dance scene123.

Creation and Sound

• Recorded in June 1988 at Moonraker Studios, Manchester, after initial home demos124.
• Built around the Roland TB-303, which provided its signature squelching acid bassline—a sound pioneered in Chicago but brought into the UK mainstream by Simpson2.
• The track features hypnotic, minimal beats, ethereal synths, and distinctive vocal samples, including "voodoo rage" from a Peter Cook and Dudley Moore comedy LP, truncated due to sampler memory limits (giving the song its name)45.
• Vocals were provided by Nicola Collier, a collaborator from Simpson's estate5.

Release and Reception

• Released on the Rham! label in the UK in 7" and 12" formats; later issued in the US by Warlock Records15.
• The first pressing of 500 copies sold out immediately, and the single spent 18 weeks in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 12 in 19891234.
• Named the best-selling independent single of 1989 by Music Week and the British Phonographic Industry123.
• Became a staple at Manchester's legendary Haçienda club and soundtracked the "Second Summer of Love," a pivotal era in UK dance culture236.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

• "Voodoo Ray" is credited as a watershed moment in British dance music, inspiring a wave of UK house and techno producers and helping define the sound of the Madchester scene64.
• The track appears on A Guy Called Gerald's 1988 album Hot Lemonade and in remixed form on his 1990 album Automanikk5.
• It has been featured in films like 24 Hour Party People and video games such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas5.
• Simpson's pioneering work extended beyond acid house, later influencing jungle and drum & bass through his label Juice Box Records2.

Notable Facts

• Gerald Simpson was also a founding member of 808 State before pursuing his solo career24.
• Despite its success, Simpson has faced ongoing legal battles over royalties and has spoken out about artist exploitation in the industry2.
• In 2024, Simpson was honored with a blue plaque in Manchester for his contribution to British electronic music and the creation of "Voodoo Ray"2.

Summary Table: Key Facts About "Voodoo Ray"

"Voodoo Ray" remains a cornerstone of UK dance music, celebrated for its innovative sound, club legacy, and enduring influence on electronic music worldwide123645.