The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriters of record (the founding 808 State trio), no dispute found — connected to “Voodoo Ray” in this catalogue through founding member Gerald Simpson.
Quick Facts
Released1989
AlbumQuadrastate
GenreAcid House, Electronic, Ambient House
LabelCreed Records
Producer808 State
Recorded atManchester
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriters of record — Graham Massey, Martin Price & Gerald Simpson
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — Creed / ZTT; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
A foundational UK electronic record; the album “Newbuild” was later cited by Aphex Twin as a major influence and reissued on his Rephlex label.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriters of record and no dispute found.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Founding member Gerald Simpson left 808 State to create it (already in this catalogue)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Graham Massey, Martin Price & Gerald Simpson (founding trio)
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A charmingly low-budget origin
The debut album “Newbuild” was recorded on tape the group found literally discarded outside the BBC’s own Manchester studios — a charmingly low-budget origin for what became a foundational UK electronic album. No lyrics reproduced (instrumental).
Wikipedia (Newbuild) · read it →
The direct connection to Voodoo Ray
Gerald Simpson was a founding member of 808 State, contributing to “Newbuild” and the “Quadrastate” EP before departing to focus on his solo career as A Guy Called Gerald — creating “Voodoo Ray” (already in this catalogue) around this same period.
Grokipedia · read it →
How it broke through
BBC Radio 1 DJ Gary Davies discovered the track after hearing it in a club while on holiday in Ibiza, then championed it on his daytime show — unusual for Radio 1 at the time. It reportedly became the de facto “final tune” at Manchester’s Haçienda for around six months; Graham Massey described its success as feeling “like winning the World Cup.”
DJ Mag · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
A foundational UK electronic / ambient-house record
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
PS
808 State (Creed / ZTT)
The confirmed songwriters of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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References
Every source cited on this page — 5 in total
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 13)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass