Label: Mental Experience - MENT001CD

現在も変わらないペースにてどマイナー且つ高内容な激レア物件を拾うスペインMental Experienceのカタログ第一弾に選ばれたのが本作。Cluster、Harmoniaの要素を受け継ぎつつ、更に実験色を強くしたクラウトロックや電子音楽の制作に勤しんだDierk Leitert & Mike BohrmannからなるドイツのコンビCirclesの1983年1st。活動した時期がNurse With WoundやThrobbing Gristle、Ilitch等と被る為、その辺りにも類似する実験色が強いユニークなグループ。 NEU!にも通じるハンマービートやら、グズグズに崩れまくりの朗読的ボーカル&ギターリフ、クラシカルなアンビエントシンセまでが登場する素晴らしくブッ飛んだ世界観です。

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In the late 1970s and through the 1980s there was a lot happening on the German "post Krautrock underground" that few people knew about, lots of independent artists doing their own thing, either via small labels or doing it themselves. Circles were one of these bands.

Based on the Frankfurt suburbs, they consisted of the multi-instrumental duo of Dierk Leitert (synthesizer, sequencer, drums, bass, guitar, voice, saxophone, flute) and Mike Bohrmann (guitars, bass, synthesizer) plus a few collaborators. Carrying the torch of 70s bands like Cluster, Harmonia or Liliental into the 80s, Circles were also contemporaries of groups like Throbbing Gristle, Ilitch and Nurse With Wound so you can also expect some similarities on their music.

“Circles” was their first album, released in 1983 as a private pressing on their tiny Einhorn label, housed in a cool and mysterious looking cover. This little known but excellent kraut/psych/experimental album is highly recommended to anyone into Harmonia, Cluster, Fripp/Eno, Heldon, Conrad Schnitzler, Neu!, Throbbing Gristle, Ilitch, Irmin Schmidt, Amon Düül II…

First ever reissue, including detailed liner notes by Alan Freeman (The Crack In The Cosmic Egg, Ultima Thule) telling the story of the band for the first time.


“Circles are one of the most fascinating of German ambient/electronic bands from the post new-wave era” - Alan Freeman (The Crack In The Cosmic Egg)