Werkschau by Circuit Diagram

Berlin/Hamburg-based Circuit Diagram is Nicolas Sheikholeslami (aka Çaykh and one of the heads behind Spiritczualic Enhancement Center) on drums and Kris Jakob (aka F#X) on electronics. Together they make kosmische-tinged psych that feels heady, but concise—the perfect blend of their complementary trance and electroacoustic sensibilities.

The two have recorded and played together sporadically for more than a decade, releasing a trio of EPs on Pudel Produkte, No Counter Records, and Ondes HXCX over the years, plus a 12" collaboration with Richard Maguire, aka Richard Fearless, of Death in Vegas. Their latest offering Werkschau ("exhibition" or "body of work") draws from an active period of live performance, circa 2014-18, highlighting their characteristic balance and energy.

Opening track "Enter Center" is the album's shortest, though its cryptic atmosphere and complex layers of percussion hint at future extremes, full of elaborate follies and tight digressions. "Troposphäre" (featuring vocals from Derya Yıldırım) builds slowly to a faster pace, held together by an almost strobing sense of frenzy, while "Hallo Caravan" wends its jazzy way from one oasis to the next.

The kinetic b-side opener "Tokyo 2020" explores the leading edge of staggered, rhythmic waves, jokingly referencing the famously delayed 2020 Summer Olympics (held in Japan from July to August 2021). "Unterholz" ("undergrowth") closes the album out with the slow drip of fungal build-up, turning the murmur of background voices into churning sounds of microbial traffic.

"Ideal for those who like adventure and being challenged." -Revista Martin

"A semi-electronic dream mirage and an intense folk ritual." -Anxious Magazine

"...delightful music." -In My Room Podcast

"...modern kosmische sounds." -Free Form Freakout

"...innovative." -The Daily Vault

Music by Circuit Diagram
Drums: Nicolas Sheikholeslami
Electronics: Kris Jakob

Production by Nicolas Sheikholeslami

Mastering by Kris Jakob / Linear Mastering

Artwork by Anne Quinones

Recorded at:

A1 14.03.2014 Hamburg, MS Stubnitz
A2 16.08.2017 Hamburg, Kampnagel
A3 02.10.2016 Hamburg, Hallo Festspiele

B1 08.12.2018 Paris, La Station - Gare Des Mines
B2 15.05.2014 Berlin, Berghain Kantine

Additional Musicians:

A1 Alexander P. Jovanović - Synthesizer
A2 Derya Yıldırım - Saz, Vocals
A3 Noah Rott - Synthesizer
B2 Touchy Mob - Guitar, Electronics

Tracklist

1.	Enter Center	3:27

2.	Troposphäre	11:24

3.	Hallo Caravan	5:59

4.	Tokyo 2020	6:46

5.	Unterholz	16:57

Credits

released July 7, 2023

License

CC BY-NC 3.0. See the Creative Commons website for details.