The Peel Sessions

Mancunian Gerald Simpson’s discography is sprawling and wildly diverse but this might just be the best way in to the evolution of his genius. Its first three tracks — released as an EP in 1989 shortly after broadcast — capture his initial flush of genius. “Rockin’ Rikki” in particular is one of the greatest acid tracks of all time, up there with his work on 808 State’s Newbuild, its “rush… rush” vocal absolutely capturing the derangement of raving. And the vocal version of “Emotions Electric” — infinitely superior to the one that would appear on his major label album FX in 1990 — is a true analogue bubblebath for the mind and soul. After that, you can trace his headlong development from two-synths-and-a-drum-machine minimalism through mutant hardcore rave a la his 1993 28 Gun Bad Boy album towards jungle, dub techno, and many more indefinable forms. There’s a real sense of being a witness to an unfolding process here.