Focus (band)
Encyclopedia
Focus is a Dutch
rock
band which was founded by classically trained organist
/flautist
Thijs van Leer
in 1969, and is most famous for the instrumental pieces "Hocus Pocus
" and "Sylvia". The band have found renewed fame due to the use of "Hocus Pocus" by guitarist Gary Hoey on his 1993 album Animal Instinct, and as the theme for the Nike 2010 World Cup commercial, Write The Future
, directed by the Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu
.
, guitarist Jan Akkerman
, bassist Martin Dresden, and drummer Hans Cleuver. The album was little noticed outside the Netherlands, where a small but avid fan base developed. Akkerman left the group to form another band with bassist Cyril Havermans
and Pierre van der Linden
, a drummer he had previously performed with in Johnny and the Cellar Rockers, The Hunters, and Brainbox. When Cleuver and Dresden left Focus shortly after, Van Leer joined Akkerman, Van der Linden, and Havermans as the new lineup of Focus.
In 1971, the group released Focus II (aka Moving Waves), which brought the band international acclaim and a hit on both sides of the Atlantic
with the radio edit of "Hocus Pocus"
. This rock classic consists of Akkerman's guitar chord sequence used as a recurring theme, with quirky and energetic interludes that include alto flute riffs, accordion, guitar, and drum solos - along with Van Leer's whistling, nonsensical vocals, falsetto
singing, and yodeling
.
But in September 1971, shortly before the band went on tour to support the album, Havermans quit and was replaced by Bert Ruiter
. He released a solo album, Cyril
, in 1973, on which he was backed by all three of his former bandmates from Focus.
The Focus 3 double album was released in 1972. Van Leer and Akkerman were still producing much of their most seminal work, but critics claimed that the album was not as cohesive as Focus II/Moving Waves and the material did not support the length of a double album. However, the album contained the Van Leer-penned "Sylvia" which became a major hit in many markets outside the US and was spent eleven weeks in the UK Singles Chart
where it peaked at #4.
In late 1973, Focus released the album At the Rainbow
.
In 1974, Van der Linden was replaced by ex-Stone the Crows
drummer Colin Allen
, before the Focus recorded the Hamburger Concerto
album. An attempt to repeat the chart-topping performance of the "Hocus Pocus" sound in the single "Harem Scarem" was not successful, and this contributed to the band's declining fortunes at this time.
The album Mother Focus
(1975), featuring new drummer David Kemper
, was released to mostly negative reviews. In 1976, frustrated with group's lack of direction and the constraints of working with its commercial ambitions, Akkerman left on the eve of a sell-out UK tour. His last minute replacement was Belgian jazz-fusion guitarist Philip Catherine
. The group's US label Sire Records
released Ship of Memories
, an album of largely unfinished Focus tracks from the aborted 1973-1974 rehearsal sessions to produce a follow-up album to Focus 3. The liner notes were written by Mike Vernon
who was the group's producer at the time, and claimed that Akkerman's lack of interest in the project was the reason the sessions fell through. Ship of Memories was released largely due to the effort of Vernon and without the active involvement of the band. The title track is a Van der Linden composition.
American singer P. J. Proby
, drummer Steve Smith (later of Journey) and guitarist Eef Albers joined Philip Catherine and the rest of Focus to record Focus con Proby
(1978). The album received dismal reviews and a lack of interest, and after a short tour the band decided to call it quits.
Van Leer and Akkerman shared the stage and performed Focus compositions at the North Sea Jazz Festival
in 1993. Six years later, Van Leer attempted to reform Focus with original drummer Hans Cleuver, bassist Bert Ruiter, and new guitarist Menno Gootjes. They performed several live dates in the Netherlands, but internal wrangling over material intended for a CD release effectively split up the group.
, and drummer Ruben van Roon (all are former members of the band CONXI). Van Roon was soon replaced by Bert Smaak. The result was the well-received Focus 8
album and world tour.
In 2004, Pierre van der Linden replaced Bert Smaak on drums. Due to "musical differences", Dumée was dismissed from the band in 2006. In the same year, the band released the album Focus 9 / New Skin
, on the Red Bullet label, which currently owns the entire back catalogue of Focus. In July 2006, Niels van der Steenhoven joined the group and the Focus 9 / New Skin CD was re-recorded. Jan Dumée formed the group On The Rocks
with the British singer John Lawton
(ex-Uriah Heep
and Lucifer's Friend
).
As of 2011, Menno Gootjes has rejoined the band, replacing Niels van der Steenhoven. Also in 2011, American rapper J. Cole sampled "Hocus Pocus" in his song "Blow Up", which is featured in the game MLB 11: The Show
.
, a science-based British TV show of the 1970s that made household names of Dr. Magnus Pyke
and Professor David Bellamy
. It is also the title theme of Steve Coogan
's BBC 2 sitcom
, Saxondale
.
Former
Non-charting singles:
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band which was founded by classically trained organist
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
/flautist
Flautist
A flautist or flutist is a musician who plays an instrument in the flute family. See List of flautists.The choice of "flautist" versus "flutist" is the source of dispute among players of the instrument...
Thijs van Leer
Thijs van Leer
Thijs Van Leer is a Dutch musician, singer and composer, best known for heading the Dutch progressive rock band, Focus, as primary vocalist, Hammond organ player, and flautist. He also yodels and whistles...
in 1969, and is most famous for the instrumental pieces "Hocus Pocus
Hocus Pocus (song)
"Hocus Pocus" is a 1971 instrumental from Focus II , the second album by Dutch rock group Focus. It was written by guitarist Jan Akkerman and flautist/keyboardist Thijs van Leer...
" and "Sylvia". The band have found renewed fame due to the use of "Hocus Pocus" by guitarist Gary Hoey on his 1993 album Animal Instinct, and as the theme for the Nike 2010 World Cup commercial, Write The Future
Write The Future
Write the Future is an advert made by Nike football for the 2010 World Cup and directed by Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu for the UK based production company, Independent Films Limited...
, directed by the Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu
Alejandro González Iñárritu
Alejandro González Iñárritu is a Mexican film director.González Iñárritu is the first Mexican director to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director and by the DGA of America for Best Director. He is also the first and only Mexican born director to have won the Prix de la mise en scene...
.
The 1970s
At the release of their first album Focus Plays Focus (aka In and Out of Focus) (1970), Focus comprised keyboardist and flutist Thijs van LeerThijs van Leer
Thijs Van Leer is a Dutch musician, singer and composer, best known for heading the Dutch progressive rock band, Focus, as primary vocalist, Hammond organ player, and flautist. He also yodels and whistles...
, guitarist Jan Akkerman
Jan Akkerman
Jan Akkerman is a Dutch guitarist. Akkerman is a distinctive guitarist, constantly experimenting with new equipment and guitars. Akkerman's distinctive guitar sound is characterised by his pioneering use of volume swells which produce a smooth, fluty, sustained tone, and other complex techniques...
, bassist Martin Dresden, and drummer Hans Cleuver. The album was little noticed outside the Netherlands, where a small but avid fan base developed. Akkerman left the group to form another band with bassist Cyril Havermans
Cyril Havermans
Cyril Havermans is a Dutch musician, best known for being in the progressive rock band, Focus.-Life:Cyril Havermans was bassist and vocalist for a number of Dutch pop bands in the 1960s: Peter and the Beats , The Heralds , Spacial Concept , and Big Wheel...
and Pierre van der Linden
Pierre van der Linden
Pierre van der Linden, born 19 February 1946 in the Netherlands, is a jazz drummer whose style was influenced by his childhood hero Buddy Rich....
, a drummer he had previously performed with in Johnny and the Cellar Rockers, The Hunters, and Brainbox. When Cleuver and Dresden left Focus shortly after, Van Leer joined Akkerman, Van der Linden, and Havermans as the new lineup of Focus.
In 1971, the group released Focus II (aka Moving Waves), which brought the band international acclaim and a hit on both sides of the Atlantic
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
with the radio edit of "Hocus Pocus"
Hocus Pocus (song)
"Hocus Pocus" is a 1971 instrumental from Focus II , the second album by Dutch rock group Focus. It was written by guitarist Jan Akkerman and flautist/keyboardist Thijs van Leer...
. This rock classic consists of Akkerman's guitar chord sequence used as a recurring theme, with quirky and energetic interludes that include alto flute riffs, accordion, guitar, and drum solos - along with Van Leer's whistling, nonsensical vocals, falsetto
Falsetto
Falsetto is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous edges of the vocal folds, in whole or in part...
singing, and yodeling
Yodeling
Yodeling is a form of singing that involves singing an extended note which rapidly and repeatedly changes in pitch from the vocal or chest register to the falsetto/head register; making a high-low-high-low sound.The English word yodel is derived from a German word jodeln meaning "to...
.
But in September 1971, shortly before the band went on tour to support the album, Havermans quit and was replaced by Bert Ruiter
Bert Ruiter
Bert Ruiter is a Dutch bass guitarist, record producer, and composer.Ruiter was born in Amsterdam and grew up in Hilversum. When he was twelve he started playing guitar by ear; later he switched to bass guitar...
. He released a solo album, Cyril
Cyril (album)
Cyril is the first solo album by Dutch singer-songwriter Cyril Havermans. It was recorded in 1973 after Havermans left Dutch progressive rock band Focus. The parting was amicable and came about partly as a result of Havermans' desire to include more vocal content...
, in 1973, on which he was backed by all three of his former bandmates from Focus.
The Focus 3 double album was released in 1972. Van Leer and Akkerman were still producing much of their most seminal work, but critics claimed that the album was not as cohesive as Focus II/Moving Waves and the material did not support the length of a double album. However, the album contained the Van Leer-penned "Sylvia" which became a major hit in many markets outside the US and was spent eleven weeks in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
where it peaked at #4.
In late 1973, Focus released the album At the Rainbow
At the Rainbow
At the Rainbow is a 1973 live album by the band Focus. A studio album was initially slated for release, but it was shelved due to disagreements within the band. At the Rainbow was released instead...
.
In 1974, Van der Linden was replaced by ex-Stone the Crows
Stone the Crows
Stone the Crows were a blues band formed in Glasgow in late 1969.-History:The band were formed after Maggie Bell was introduced to Les Harvey by his elder brother, Alex Harvey...
drummer Colin Allen
Colin Allen
Colin Allen is an English blues drummer and songwriter.-Career:Allen took up drums at the age of 18, playing initially with local jazz musician in Dorset...
, before the Focus recorded the Hamburger Concerto
Hamburger Concerto
Hamburger Concerto, is the fourth studio album by the band Focus, released in 1974, and peaking at #20 in the UK charts. Based on the first Brahms variation on a theme by Haydn which was, itself, premiered in Hamburg.-Side one:...
album. An attempt to repeat the chart-topping performance of the "Hocus Pocus" sound in the single "Harem Scarem" was not successful, and this contributed to the band's declining fortunes at this time.
The album Mother Focus
Mother Focus
Mother Focus is the fifth studio album by the band Focus, released in 1975. The album marks a departure from the progressive rock style that dominated the band's prior work, to a poppier, often disco influenced direction.- Side one :...
(1975), featuring new drummer David Kemper
David Kemper
David Kemper is a drummer. He was a long-time member of both the Jerry Garcia Band and Bob Dylan's band . He was with the Jerry Garcia Band for the last eleven years of Garcia's life...
, was released to mostly negative reviews. In 1976, frustrated with group's lack of direction and the constraints of working with its commercial ambitions, Akkerman left on the eve of a sell-out UK tour. His last minute replacement was Belgian jazz-fusion guitarist Philip Catherine
Philip Catherine
Philip Catherine is a Belgian jazz guitarist.-Biography:He was born in London from an English mother and Belgian father....
. The group's US label Sire Records
Sire Records
Sire Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group and distributed through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:The label was founded in 1966 as Sire Productions by Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehrer, each investing ten thousand dollars into the new company. Its early releases as a...
released Ship of Memories
Ship of Memories
Ship of Memories is the sixth studio album by the band Focus featuring previously unreleased material, released in 1976.-Side one:# "P's March" – 4:43# "Can't Believe My Eyes" – 5:17# "Focus V" – 3:02...
, an album of largely unfinished Focus tracks from the aborted 1973-1974 rehearsal sessions to produce a follow-up album to Focus 3. The liner notes were written by Mike Vernon
Mike Vernon (producer)
Mike Vernon is an English record producer. He produced albums for British blues artists and groups during the late 1960s, working with the Bluesbreakers, David Bowie, Duster Bennett, Savoy Brown, Chicken Shack, Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Green, Danny Kirwan, John Mayall, Christine McVie and...
who was the group's producer at the time, and claimed that Akkerman's lack of interest in the project was the reason the sessions fell through. Ship of Memories was released largely due to the effort of Vernon and without the active involvement of the band. The title track is a Van der Linden composition.
American singer P. J. Proby
P. J. Proby
P.J. Proby is an American singer, songwriter, and actor, who has portrayed Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison in musical theater productions as well as enjoying a successful recording career in his own right....
, drummer Steve Smith (later of Journey) and guitarist Eef Albers joined Philip Catherine and the rest of Focus to record Focus con Proby
Focus con Proby
Focus con Proby is an album by Focus with the American singer P. J. Proby. It is Focus' 7th studio album and was released in January 1978. It also features guitarists Eef Albers and Philip Catherine and the other three Focus members from previous albums....
(1978). The album received dismal reviews and a lack of interest, and after a short tour the band decided to call it quits.
1980s
In 1985, Van Leer and Akkerman reunited for a joint project (because of contractual obligation) which resulted in the commercially unsuccessful album Focus.1990s
In 1990, the "classic" lineup of Akkerman, Van Leer, Ruiter, and Van der Linden performed old and new compositions on the Dutch TV shows Veronika and Goud van Oud. An unsuccessful attempt was made to formally restart the band at this time.Van Leer and Akkerman shared the stage and performed Focus compositions at the North Sea Jazz Festival
North Sea Jazz Festival
The North Sea Jazz Festival is an annual jazz festival held each second weekend of July in the Netherlands at the Ahoy venue. It used to be in The Hague but since 2006 it has been held in Rotterdam...
in 1993. Six years later, Van Leer attempted to reform Focus with original drummer Hans Cleuver, bassist Bert Ruiter, and new guitarist Menno Gootjes. They performed several live dates in the Netherlands, but internal wrangling over material intended for a CD release effectively split up the group.
2000s
In 2001, Thijs van Leer re-formed Focus with himself, stepson Bobby Jacobs on bass, guitarist Jan DuméeJan Dumée
Jan Dumée is a Dutch rock/jazz guitar player, composer and record producer.-With Focus:*Focus 8 *Live in the USA *Live in South America -External links:* * * * *...
, and drummer Ruben van Roon (all are former members of the band CONXI). Van Roon was soon replaced by Bert Smaak. The result was the well-received Focus 8
Focus 8
Focus 8 is a 2002 studio album by the band Focus. The album marks a return of the progressive rock style that dominated the band's work with Jan Akkerman...
album and world tour.
In 2004, Pierre van der Linden replaced Bert Smaak on drums. Due to "musical differences", Dumée was dismissed from the band in 2006. In the same year, the band released the album Focus 9 / New Skin
Focus 9 / New Skin
Focus 9 / New Skin is a 2006 studio album by the Dutch progressive rock band Focus. This time Pierre van der Linden joins Thijs van Leer with Bobby Jacobs remaining on bass and Niels van der Steenhoven replacing guitarist Jan Dumée.-Track listing:# "Black Beauty" – 4:14# "Focus 7" – 5:23#...
, on the Red Bullet label, which currently owns the entire back catalogue of Focus. In July 2006, Niels van der Steenhoven joined the group and the Focus 9 / New Skin CD was re-recorded. Jan Dumée formed the group On The Rocks
On The Rocks (band)
On The Rocks is an international rock band formed by British, Dutch and Brazilian musicians with different musical backgrounds, leading to a unique style.-History:...
with the British singer John Lawton
John Lawton (musician)
John Lawton is a rock and roll and blues vocalist best known for his work with Lucifer's Friend, Uriah Heep and the Les Humphries Singers.-Biography:...
(ex-Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
and Lucifer's Friend
Lucifer's Friend
Lucifer's Friend was a 1970s German Rock band. Allmusic author, Eduardo Rivadavia, noted the group as, "early practitioners of heavy metal and progressive rock." They also incorporated elements of jazz into their music. The band have also been cited as one of the pioneers of doom metal.-History:The...
).
2010s
In May 2010, Nike included "Hocus Pocus" as the main theme tune in their extended FIFA World Cup commercial. The advert was first aired on US Network TV during the UEFA Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan on 22 May and then throughout the World Cup. A re-release of "Hocus Pocus", due to the Nike commercial, led to the song entering the UK Singles Chart at #57.As of 2011, Menno Gootjes has rejoined the band, replacing Niels van der Steenhoven. Also in 2011, American rapper J. Cole sampled "Hocus Pocus" in his song "Blow Up", which is featured in the game MLB 11: The Show
MLB 11: The Show
MLB 11: The Show is a Major League Baseball video game published by Sony Computer Entertainment and developed by Sony San Diego. The game was released on March 8, 2011 for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 2...
.
Music
Akkerman's "House of the King" (from the Focus Plays Focus album) was the title theme of Don't Ask MeDon't Ask Me (TV programme)
Don't Ask Me was a popular British television science show made by Yorkshire Television for the ITV network and ran from 1974 to 1978. It attempted to answer science-based questions and contributors included Magnus Pyke , Rob Buckman , David Bellamy , Miriam Stoppard , and Derek Griffiths...
, a science-based British TV show of the 1970s that made household names of Dr. Magnus Pyke
Magnus Pyke
Dr. Magnus Alfred Pyke was a British scientist and media figure, who, although apparently quite eccentric and playing up to the mad scientist stereotype, succeeded in explaining science to a lay audience...
and Professor David Bellamy
David Bellamy
David James Bellamy OBE is a British author, broadcaster, environmental campaigner and botanist. He has lived in County Durham since 1960.-Career:...
. It is also the title theme of Steve Coogan
Steve Coogan
Stephen John "Steve" Coogan is a British comedian, actor, writer and producer. Born in Manchester, he began his career as a standup comedian and impressionist, working as a voice artist throughout the 1980s on satirical puppet show Spitting Image. In the early nineties, Coogan began creating...
's BBC 2 sitcom
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
, Saxondale
Saxondale
Saxondale is a British television situation comedy programme, starring Steve Coogan and co-written by Steve Coogan and Neil Maclennan. The series is directed by Matt Lipsey and produced by Ted Dowd. Coogan and Henry Normal served as executive producers...
.
Members
Current- Thijs van LeerThijs van LeerThijs Van Leer is a Dutch musician, singer and composer, best known for heading the Dutch progressive rock band, Focus, as primary vocalist, Hammond organ player, and flautist. He also yodels and whistles...
– keyboards, flute, vocals (1969–1978, 1990, 1999, 2001–present) - Pierre van der LindenPierre van der LindenPierre van der Linden, born 19 February 1946 in the Netherlands, is a jazz drummer whose style was influenced by his childhood hero Buddy Rich....
– drums (1970–1974, 1975, 1990, 2004–present) - Menno Gootjes – guitar (1999, 2010–present)
- Bobby Jacobs – bass (2001–present)
Former
- Jan AkkermanJan AkkermanJan Akkerman is a Dutch guitarist. Akkerman is a distinctive guitarist, constantly experimenting with new equipment and guitars. Akkerman's distinctive guitar sound is characterised by his pioneering use of volume swells which produce a smooth, fluty, sustained tone, and other complex techniques...
– guitar (1969-1977, 1990) - Hans Cleuver – drums (1969–1970, 1999)
- Martin Dresden – bass (1969–1970)
- Cyril HavermansCyril HavermansCyril Havermans is a Dutch musician, best known for being in the progressive rock band, Focus.-Life:Cyril Havermans was bassist and vocalist for a number of Dutch pop bands in the 1960s: Peter and the Beats , The Heralds , Spacial Concept , and Big Wheel...
– bass (1970–1971) - Bert RuiterBert RuiterBert Ruiter is a Dutch bass guitarist, record producer, and composer.Ruiter was born in Amsterdam and grew up in Hilversum. When he was twelve he started playing guitar by ear; later he switched to bass guitar...
– bass (1971–1978, 1990, 1999) - Colin AllenColin AllenColin Allen is an English blues drummer and songwriter.-Career:Allen took up drums at the age of 18, playing initially with local jazz musician in Dorset...
– drums (1974–1975) - David KemperDavid KemperDavid Kemper is a drummer. He was a long-time member of both the Jerry Garcia Band and Bob Dylan's band . He was with the Jerry Garcia Band for the last eleven years of Garcia's life...
– drums (1975–1978) - Philip CatherinePhilip CatherinePhilip Catherine is a Belgian jazz guitarist.-Biography:He was born in London from an English mother and Belgian father....
– guitar (1977–1978) - Steve SmithSteve Smith (musician)Steve Elliott Smith is an American drummer who has worked with hundreds of artists in his career, but is mostly known for being the drummer of the rock band Journey during their peak years of success. Modern Drummer magazine readers voted him the #1 All-Around Drummer five years in a row...
– drums (1978) - Eef Albers – guitar (1978)
- P.J. Proby – vocals (1978)
- Jan DuméeJan DuméeJan Dumée is a Dutch rock/jazz guitar player, composer and record producer.-With Focus:*Focus 8 *Live in the USA *Live in South America -External links:* * * * *...
– guitar (2001–2006) - Ruben van Roon – drums (2001)
- Bert Smaak – drums (2001–2004)
- Niels van der Steenhoven – guitar, vocals (2006–2010)
Albums
| Date of release | Title | US chart | UK chart | NOR Chart | Certifications Music recording sales certification Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,... (sales thresholds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(aka In And Out Of Focus) |
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At the Rainbow At the Rainbow is a 1973 live album by the band Focus. A studio album was initially slated for release, but it was shelved due to disagreements within the band. At the Rainbow was released instead... |
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Hamburger Concerto Hamburger Concerto, is the fourth studio album by the band Focus, released in 1974, and peaking at #20 in the UK charts. Based on the first Brahms variation on a theme by Haydn which was, itself, premiered in Hamburg.-Side one:... |
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Mother Focus Mother Focus is the fifth studio album by the band Focus, released in 1975. The album marks a departure from the progressive rock style that dominated the band's prior work, to a poppier, often disco influenced direction.- Side one :... |
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Ship of Memories Ship of Memories is the sixth studio album by the band Focus featuring previously unreleased material, released in 1976.-Side one:# "P's March" – 4:43# "Can't Believe My Eyes" – 5:17# "Focus V" – 3:02... |
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Focus con Proby Focus con Proby is an album by Focus with the American singer P. J. Proby. It is Focus' 7th studio album and was released in January 1978. It also features guitarists Eef Albers and Philip Catherine and the other three Focus members from previous albums.... |
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Focus: Jan Akkerman & Thijs van Leer An album from 1985 featuring Focus guitarist Jan Akkerman and Focus flautist/keyboardist Thijs van Leer as the main musicians with some additional musicians.Side 1* Russian Roulette 5:54* King Kong 3:55* Le Tango 4:55* Indian Summer 5:50Side 2... |
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Focus 8 Focus 8 is a 2002 studio album by the band Focus. The album marks a return of the progressive rock style that dominated the band's work with Jan Akkerman... |
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Focus 9 / New Skin Focus 9 / New Skin is a 2006 studio album by the Dutch progressive rock band Focus. This time Pierre van der Linden joins Thijs van Leer with Bobby Jacobs remaining on bass and Niels van der Steenhoven replacing guitarist Jan Dumée.-Track listing:# "Black Beauty" – 4:14# "Focus 7" – 5:23#... |
Singles
Charting singles:- "Hocus PocusHocus Pocus (song)"Hocus Pocus" is a 1971 instrumental from Focus II , the second album by Dutch rock group Focus. It was written by guitarist Jan Akkerman and flautist/keyboardist Thijs van Leer...
" #20 UK; #9 US (B-sideA-side and B-sideA-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
(s): "Janis" (UK) "Hocus Pocus II" (US)) - "Sylvia" #4 UK; #89 US (B-side: "Love Remembered")
Non-charting singles:
- "House Of The King" (B-side: "Black Beauty")
- "House of the King (B-side: "O Avondrood" - a vocal version of "Red Sky at Night")
- "Tommy" (B-side: "Focus II")
- "Harem Scarem" (B-side: "Early Birth". This was a shortened alternate version of the track "Birth" from the album Hamburger Concerto).
- "Mother Focus" (B-side: "I Need A Bathroom")
- "P's March" (B-side: "Focus II")
- "Hocus Pocus" (B-side: "Hocus Pocus", US Version. This version was also found on CD release of Ship of Memories).
- "Russian Roulette" (B-side: "Ole' Judy")