Often seen as a mere novelty act due to their two 1972 hit singles ‘Silvia’ and ‘Hocus Pocus’ (originally released in 1970) Dutch band Focus continue to prove to be a popular live attraction over 50 years after their formation. Unlike many bands of their age founder Thijs van Leer and his crew refuse to become a mere nostalgia act and continue to write and perform new music alongside “the hits” whenever they take to the road. With new boys Menno Gootjes (2010) on guitar and Udo Pannekeet (2016) on bass joining Thijs and long-serving drummer Pierre van der Lindon (1971) the line-up has never been so strong. Focus 12 (unsurprisingly their 12th studio album) finds the band with a fresh approach with production duties being handled for the first time by the youngsters as Pannekeet and Gootjes take over behind the console as well as providing two compositions on the bands 2024 offering.
Housed within a stunning sleeve with artwork once again supplied by Roger Dean who supplied the sleeve art for both Focus X and Focus 11 the brighter outlook not only radiates from the lavish gatefold sleeve surrounding the vinyl version but also shines brightly from the musical content. Focus have never been ones to tie themselves down to one particular genre and nothing has changed in that department with progressive, jazz, blues and much more all on display, making Focus stand apart from the crowd once again. In spite of the new approach that classic “Focus” sound is sprinkled all over this release and is in evidence from the outset with ‘Fjord Focus’ becoming a showcase for each member of the band and their accompanying instrument(s) as each one is introduced musically during this four minute, one take tour de force. Because ‘Focus 12’ had already been used on Focus 50’s Completely Focussed in 2021, ‘Focus 13’ continues the tradition as flute, guitar and keys float over a solid bass line and rolling drums supplied by the Pannekeet/van der Lindon back line as the pace fluctuates with ease. This may all sound a little “same old, same, old” but that is far from the whole story as the band take the improvisational aspects from their live show and successfully transfer them to the studio. Okay, the jubilant ‘Nura’, jaunty ‘Gaia’ and the highly contemporary progressive rocking of ‘Positano’ may provide long time fans with their fill of nostalgic bliss but the twin tributes of ‘Béla’ and ‘Bowie’ and the and the short classical piece ‘Born To Be You’, put aside van Leer’s Hammond flourishes to display his feel and mastery of the ivories. Menno proves that he is more than a match for that “other” guitar player (Jan Akkerman) as he switches approach during ‘Meta Indefinita’ and ‘All Aboard’ channelling the styles of Marvin, Howe, Satriani and so much more. One of the true differences and delights when listening to Focus 2024 is that this is all executed on ten fully instrumental tracks without a word or yodel in earshot. Thijs is definitely still the boss but with Focus 12 the new boys have thankfully come of age. Are they prog? Are they jazz? Are they blues? No… they are FOCUS!
Two days after the release of Focus 12 the band find themselves heading out on the road with Geoff Downes latest Asia line-up as support on the “Heat Of The Moment” tour before headlining their own UK tour from August. I’m sure the Asia tour will introduce Focus to a whole new audience and by the time that they return to these shores the new songs should have found their place within the live set. Catch them if you can.
- Reviewed by Peter Brockwell.
- Focus 12 is released via Spirit Of Unicorn Music on 5th July 2024.
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Track List:
1. Fjord Focus
2. Focus 13
3. Béla
4. Meta Indefinita
5. All Aboard
6. Born To Be You
7. Nura
8. Bowie
9. Positano
10. Gaia
