Tronic Jazz: The Berlin Sessions Laboratory Instinct ***

One of electronic music's most respected mavericks, Gerald Simpson has already left his mark on the scene with 1988's acid anthem Voodoo Rayand 1995's groundbreaking Black Secret Technologyjungle album. Since he moved to Berlin, Simpson's innovative streak has continued, with the producer paying more attention to a deeper, more techno spread of sounds (see the Proto Acidalbum from a few years ago). Here Simpson continues to follow that trajectory with an album of occasionally dynamic and sometimes powerful electronic sweeps. When he's on form he's mesmering: Pacific Samba, a remake of his own Pacific Statefor 808 State, is a gorgeous shimmy, while Iland has a scope that generates passionate heat. But there are far too many times when Tronic Jazzdoesn't quite engage to the same degree, and it becomes a little too meandering for comfort. See myspace.com/ aguycalledgerald

Download tracks:Pacific Samba, Iland