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"Voodoo Ray" is an early Acid House single by Gerald Simpson, recording under the name A Guy Called Gerald. The single was released the UK in 1988, in the 7" and 12" vinyl formats, on the Rham! label. It reached number 12 in the UK singles chart, and was the best selling independently released single in 1989. It was released in the USA in 1989 by Warlock Records. It also appeared on A Guy Called Gerald's 1988 album Hot Lemonade, and in remixed form on Gerald's 1990 album Automanikk, for Columbia Records.
The song contains samples of comedians Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, taken from the first Derek and Clive LP, Derek and Clive (Live), specifically the Bo Duddley sketch. Voodoo Ray combines a sample of Peter Cook delivering the phrase "voodoo rage", truncated due to the recording equipment's lack of memory, and also Dudley Moore forcefully delivering the word "later!". In each case the samples are shifted in pitch, and electronically processed.
The vocal was sung by Nicola Collier, who lived on Gerald's estate and had worked on other tracks with him. (ref: interview with Gerald 2003 - http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/clubs/s/65/65179_a_guy_thing.html )
The song also features prominently on the soundtrack of 24 Hour Party People directed by Michael Winterbottom, which tells the story of Factory Records and the early 'Madchester' scene.
It's also featured on the game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas by Rockstar Games.
Picture of 12" label from 1989, courtesy of backtotheoldskool.co.uk: http://www.backtotheoldskool.co.uk/site_images/voodoo_ray.jpg
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