Format Details: Lp
Release Date: 03 September 2021
Label: Talking Elephant
Packaging Type: Digipak
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5028479046928
Genres: Rock Progressive Rock
Release Date: 19 June 2020
Label: Svart Records
Packaging Type: Gate Fold Vinyl
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 6430065589426
Genres: Rock Progressive Rock
Description
From the earliest traces of progressive rock in the 1960s alongside the likes of Pink Floyd and King Crimson were a few smaller acts on the circuit. One of these was CIRCUS they spent most of the 60s as The Storm Shakers, part of Philip Goodhand-Tait and the Stormsville Shakers before changing their name to Circus in 1967 when Philip decided to leave to go on his solo journey. This was to be the first project of saxophonist / flautist Mel Collins who would later play on King Crimson albums and many other classic guest spots within the Prog Rock fields.
CIRCUS was a jazz-rock band that began to focus more on the more experimental progressive theme such as The Nice, Soft Machine, Caravan and Colosseum. For their one and only release they took the bold step of including a cover of The Beatles' "Norwegian Wood." Of the eight tracks, only half were originals written by Mel Collins whereas the other half were covers which included "Monday, Monday" from The Mamas & The Papas, "Don't Make Promises" from Tim Hardin and "I I B.S." from Charles Mingus. Although a second album had been mostly recorded it never saw the light of day.
Remastered in 2021 Talking Elephant are pleased to be able to make this classic gem available once again for all fans of early Progressive music.
Description
Circus were a shining example of the creative explosion at the heart of the early days of Progressive Rock. A tight knit jazz-rock band that crafted high quality musical workouts, Circus mixed the heavier aspects of late 60s rock with the nuances of jazz modulations, folk, pop and even forays into psychedelia.
Circus decided to focus less on the sound of the pop psych scene and joined the ranks of the more experimental progressive bands emerging during the 60s such as The Nice, Soft Machine, Caravan, Colosseum and King Crimson, although the pop connections were still a major part of the band's sound. That pop-art sensibility shines through on tracks like their inspired cover of The Beatles' "Norwegian Wood", nailing the melodic aspects of the song but augmenting it with a stealthy jazz improv performance, making it their own creative freak-out, and their beautiful cover of The Mamas & Papas' "Monday Monday", which is arguably more exquisitely executed than the original.The band is known as the first project of saxophonist / flautist Mel Collins who would play on some of the earliest King Crimson albums ("In The Wake of Poseidon," "Lizard," "Islands," "Red"), that kick-started the prog revolution. However beyond mere name recognition from Collins, very few have experienced the unique sounds that Circus was creating at the time on this forgotten gem of a record. Sadly disbanding before they gained the wider notoriety they would have deserved, their groundbreaking eponymous debut, is now repressed on wax as part of Svart's Mondo series, with extensive liner notes and gatefold jacket and a brand new re-master at Orgone Studios. A hugely desirable collector's item among Progressive Rock aficionados and a highly recommended surprise from the past.
Tracklisting
Tracklisting
Gandalf Murphy and The Slambovian Circus of Dreams
David Carroll
Simon Care And Gareth Turner
Medicine Head
David Jackson & Rene Van Commenee
Rainbow Chasers
Stray
The Albion Band
Various Artists
Various Artists
