Circus

Background of Circus

Circus is a Swiss band that originated in Basel in 1972. They carved out a unique space in the rock genre, primarily through their blend of rock, psychedelic rock, and progressive rock elements. In 1977, they released their second studio album titled Movin' On on the Zytglogge label. This album followed their self-titled debut and marked a further evolution in their sound.

Musical Composition

Movin' On stands out due to its distinctive instrumentation. The album omits electric guitars and keyboards entirely. Instead, it prominently features acoustic guitars, electric bass, various woodwinds, and vibrant percussion instruments. Roland Frei takes the lead with vocals and acoustic guitar, while also contributing tenor saxophone. Andreas Grieder enhances the sound with flute and alto saxophone, alongside tambourine and backing vocals. Marco Cerletti supports with bass, 12-string acoustic guitar, and backing vocals. Fritz Hauser plays drums, vibes, and percussion, adding depth to the overall sound.

Album Structure

The album is structured into two sides. The first side contains four shorter tracks that introduce the listener to the band’s intricate sound. The second side is dedicated entirely to the title suite, which spans 22 minutes. This lengthy composition allows for an expansive exploration of the band's musical themes and creative ideas.

Recording Details

Movin' On was recorded in May 1977 at Sinus Studio in Berne, Switzerland. The engineering team of E. Merz and Peter J. MacTaggart was responsible for capturing the band's unique sound. The album cover was designed by Christian Hügin, adding a visual component that complements the music within.

Conclusion

The album was released in 1977 under the catalog number ZYT 211.