Adam F ‘Circles’ | The Making Of A Drum & Bass Classic

30 years on from its original release, Adam F shares the story of his seminal drum & bass classic, ‘Circles’.

Released in 1995, ‘Circles’ didn’t chart until it’s re-release two years later as the first single from Adam F’s debut studio album, ‘Colours’.

Made on various pieces of vintage studio gear, the song was finished until Adam decided to sample Bob James’ ‘Westchester Lady’ after hearing the two tracks play side by side — a choice which later provided a few hurdles in terms of sample clearance.

Here, Adam explores his early introduction into music, from busking on the streets of Camden to winning a MOBO award, and how ‘Circles’ has taken on new life with PinkPantheress’ ‘Break It Off’ and last years’ 'Circles Revisited' release.

Electronic music history is rich with unforgettable and timeless classics. In our series, DJ Mag explores the tales behind some of the world's favourite dance tracks, told by the people that made them.

[DJMag]

A true classic! Who should be next in the series? 👇

[sparkidee]

This along with Horizons by LTJ Bukem are memorable time stamps for this sound. Circles is an absolute classic and isn't out of place, take a bow Adam F.

[neilvinyl]

One of my first D'n'B cuts at Masterpiece. I cut it with Noel Newton from Vinyl Distribution who was a brilliant engineer & taught me a lot about cutting D'n'B. Classic tune & I'm proud to be a small part of such a classic track!

[enzidj]

In 1995 I was a regular listener of Eruption 101.3fm. A pirate station in East London. I literally used to leave it on all day in my bedroom.
One late Sunday night I was in bed when Circles came on and I fell in love immediately. I then waited every Sunday night to hear it again. No presenter ever spoke on this show and so I'd go to my local record shop and repeatedly ask about this track that I had no ID for. But no one knew what I was talking about!
Eventually I got the ID, but by then it was sold out everywhere and I didn't get it until 1997 upon its proper release.

[marianocmf]

I really cannot put into words what Circles mean to me. I levitate when I play not only Circles but the entire Colours album. This is not something I say lightly. To me, being from Argentina but being exposed to all sorts of music genres and later plunging into the UK electronic scene from a very young age, listening to Adam F was like a portal that had been opened to a different reality. It was that powerful to me. So when you hear things like people want to be married or buried to Circles it’s not surprising to me. This album is in a league of its own. It’s something else. It’s my alternate world. The fact that Adam has now released the revisited version of Circles means I get to open a new portal. Thank you for that.

[GenericUser]

The nostalgia is syrupy thick every time I hear this track.

[dj-sandstorm]

As a DJ from the Netherlands, playing D&B, I checked a lot of dancemusic radio in those days, from the Netherlands, Belgium and also Germany. On WDR1 there was and still is the show by Klaus Fiehe and he played Circles many times when it was just released. Taped it on cassette and bought it later on vinyl. Classic!

[TakeMeBackPirateRadio]

A timeless classic! I never get bored of it. I still get goosebumps every time it's played. It's a choon that could be listened without an MC and equally sounded amazing with an MC over it too. Big up the ravers and pirate radio crew that remember this choon. RIP MC Skibadee.

[prizegotti]

I'm starting to become concerned about the number of times I've watched a DJ Mag interview and heard the sentence along the lines of "I never saw a penny."

[lorne]

I remember putting circles on repeat on a juke box in a pub so many times the landlord ended up switching it off 😂

[GavinBlane]

Adam, what a legend. First heard circles when a mate played it at a school youth club in 1995. Love it to this day.

[allysoncheynes]

Sublime track. That someone would want it played at their funeral speaks to how deeply it reached into their soul. Not weird at all.

[WillMiles]

Big up Adam F for producing such an inspirational piece of music

[Elmgren]

Been listening to "Circles" regularly for 30 years :) Love this channel and these interviews. Keep em coming!

[Thirdlawofrobotix]

Goosebumps tune. The day before first time i ever took 🍄 I told my friend “yo I wanna listen to some techno for this!” bc I still hadn’t been to a proper rave yet and called all that electronic dance music techno. So he told me to buy the Colours CD. It became our soundtrack during peak hour and all I can say is how lucky it was to have that album playing. It’s an absolutely BRILLIANT collection of songs. It was a religious experience, straight up. 73, Circles, Metropolis…. Music in my Mind, F-Jam, Aromatherapy… I mean this is all just crazy good music of any genre. Thank you and maximum respect. Colours is the best Jungle album ever.

[Zelyone]

Sooo many memories, absolute timeless classic!! Thanks you Adam F and DJ Mag for the excellent interview!! 🙌❤🙌

[eoin]

Absolute legend.
I never cared much for “Circles” but “Metropolis” was an absolute monster, it drove everyone in the NZ DnB scene totally bonkers for about 6 months straight 😂

So good

[TonyStark-uuus]

Ran into Adam in a car park after a show in '94. Lovely, chilled guy,

[Artesian_mirage]

I still have the CD single. My older brother bought it for me. He came home one day and randomly handed it to me, no special occasion. He'd seen me watching the Circles music video a lot after school for weeks. It's one of my most treasured artefacts from my youth i will keep with me until I "checkout".

I always loved what it says in the liner notes, a message from Adam F;

"Circles of praise to the creator.
Strive to achieve much in what little time you have.
Remain close to your inner self."

[Seafishing-ft]

Mate I remember hearing your track for the first time in Metalheadz, Blue Note, Hoxton Square. It absolutely blew my head off. I used to go every Sunday evening that was the place to go to hear music. I have a similar upbringing to you Father was a singer brought up with music in my veins along with the Market stalls in Camden. Good on you mucker you made a some real classics