Circles

The Zoo Crew is grooving at THE ZOO radio station, spinning the hypnotic track "Circles" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band from their 1978 album Watch for all you Zoo Freaks out there. This song, written by Alan Mark, kicks off the album with a progressive rock vibe, featuring Chris Thompson’s soulful vocals and a dreamy instrumental intro that hooks you right in. Fun fact: the intro to "Circles" caught the ear of Volkswagen, who used it in a 1991 internal training video for the VW Golf 3, showcasing the VR6 and GTI models to dealers. That’s right, this trippy tune was hyping up car sales reps! Fans on ProgArchives rave about the song’s thick prog layers, with Chris Slade’s dynamic drumming and a touch of violin that propels listeners into a cosmic soundscape. It’s a perfect fit for the Zoo Crew’s eclectic, free-spirited playlist.

Digging deeper, "Circles" sets the tone for the Watch album, which blends original tracks with covers, a hallmark of Manfred Mann's Earth Band. The album itself is a fan favorite, especially in Germany, where it charted for 69 weeks, hitting number 3 and earning platinum status by 1981. The Watch album cover, painted by artist Michael Sanz, has its own legend. During a Scandinavian tour, Manfred Mann reportedly gave Sanz vivid instructions for the artwork, dramatically acting out his vision while running down a sidewalk with arms outstretched. Sanz nailed the brief, creating an iconic image of a runway under a cloudy sky that screams late ‘70s rock. Zoo Freaks, you can feel that open-road energy in "Circles," like you’re chasing horizons with the wind in your hair.

Now, let’s rewind to how Manfred Mann's Earth Band came to be. Manfred Mann, born Manfred Sepse Lubowitz in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1940, grew up in a Lithuanian Jewish family. A jazz pianist in his teens, he played clubs in Johannesburg but was driven to leave South Africa in 1961 due to his opposition to apartheid. Landing in the UK, he adopted the stage name Manfred Mann, inspired by jazz drummer Shelly Manne, and started writing for Jazz News. In 1962, he teamed up with drummer Mike Hugg at a Butlins Holiday Camp, forming the Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers, a blues-jazz outfit. This evolved into the pop-oriented Manfred Mann band, scoring hits like "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" and "The Mighty Quinn" in the ‘60s. By 1969, Mann craved something edgier, so he and Hugg launched Manfred Mann Chapter Three, a jazz-rock experiment that fizzled commercially. Undeterred, Mann formed the Earth Band in 1971, aiming for a freer, progressive sound. The name “Earth Band,” suggested by drummer Chris Slade, nodded to their raw musical style and the era’s ecological movement.

The Earth Band’s journey wasn’t just about music—it was about reinvention. After feeling constrained by Chapter Three’s rigid rules and financial struggles, Mann built a leaner, more flexible group. They became known for epic covers, like Bruce Springsteen’s "Blinded by the Light," which topped charts in 1976, and Bob Dylan’s "Father of Night," stretched into a nine-minute prog masterpiece. Their knack for reworking songs in a progressive rock style, paired with Mann’s keyboard wizardry on instruments like the Minimoog and Hammond organ, carved out their niche. As of 2024, the band, led by Mann and guitarist Mick Rogers, is still touring, having celebrated their 2000th live performance in 2023. Zoo Freaks, that’s the kind of staying power that keeps "Circles" spinning on our turntables.

For all you Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with Manfred Mann's Earth Band, check out their official website for tour dates and news. Follow them on Facebook, where they have over 117,000 fans, and join the conversation on X. While they don’t have an active Instagram, fans keep the vibe alive elsewhere. Dive into the Manfred Mann’s Earth Band Fan Group on Facebook for discussions and rare photos. For deep dives, ProgArchives offers reviews and forum chats, while Rate Your Music has detailed discographies and fan ratings. Keep it groovy, Zoo Freaks, and let "Circles" take you for another spin!