FOCUS - Hocus Pocus Box (Complete Album Collection + Bonus CD) 13CD BOX (2017) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Opposites attract, or so they say. And Jan Akkerman and Thijs van Leer certainly are opposites. Both incredibly gifted, the two musicians inspire each other when they meet in Focus.

Here you find Akkerman and Van Leer’s exciting legacy of superb continental-European progressive rock. And jazz. And classical music. Plus the non-Akkerman Focus releases, with a rejuvenated band helmed by Thijs van Leer, innovative as ever, creating new sounds like no other band can: 13 albums of unsurpassed, ground-breaking music. redbullet

In And Out Of Focus (1970)

Focus' debut album is gentler and more low-key and vocal-oriented than their subsequent efforts; fans of Jan Akkerman's pyrotechnics may be disappointed by his relatively restrained presence, but others may be pleasantly surprised to find a more economic group than they remember. A fair collection of progressive rock tunes without a clear focus, the material is dominated by Thijs Van Leer, often introducing classical sensibilities. But at least as often, it sticks with fairly conventional period folk-rock and blues influences, with occasional jazzy shadings. Akkerman's "House of the King" is the most accurate Jethro Tull imitation ever recorded. by Richie Unterberger

Tracklist :
1    Focus … (Vocal) 2:43
Written-By – Eric Cleuver, Thijs Van Leer
2    Black Beauty 3:09
Written-By – Eric Cleuver, Thijs Van Leer
3    Sugar Island 3:05
Written-By – Jan Akkerman, Jan Staal, Martijn Dresden, Thijs Van Leer
4    Anonymus 6:43
Written-By – Hans Cleuver, Jan Akkerman, Martijn Dresden, Thijs Van Leer
5    House Of The King 2:51
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
6    Happy Nightmare (Mescaline) 3:59
Written-By – Jan Akkerman, Martijn Dresden, Mike Hayes, Thijs Van Leer
7    Why Dream 3:54
Written-By – Eric Cleuver, Thijs Van Leer
8    Focus … (Instrumental) 9:39
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
Credits :
Bass – Martijn Dresden
Drums, Percussion – Hans Cleuver
Guitar – Jan Akkerman
Organ – Thijs Van Leer

        Focus 2 / Moving Waves (1971)    

The album that boosted Focus into at least semi-fame outside of continental Europe, Moving Waves blasts off with their hit single, "Hocus Pocus." Built around a killer guitar hook by Jan Akkerman and a series of solo turns by the band, this instrumental replaced "Wipeout" as a staple of FM radio. The bizarrely hilarious vocal and accordion solos by Thijs van Leer -- one of which absurdly concludes with rousing stadium cheers -- have to be heard to be believed. After this over-the-top performance, the other tracks seem comparatively constrained: the gentle "Le Clochard" features some gorgeous classical guitar over Mellotron strings. The album concludes with "Eruption," which while mimicking the multi-suite nomenclature of Yes and King Crimson, is essentially a side-long jam session. Stop-time Emersonian organ solos alternate with languid sections of jazzy guitar redolent of Santana, while still other sections are flat-out electric blues-rock stomps. It's impressive playing, though it comes off as a bit meandering after the tightly structured solos that began the album. by Paul Collins

Tracklist :
1    Hocus Pocus 6:42
Written-By – Jan Akkerman, Thijs Van Leer
2    Le Clochard 2:01
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
3    Janis 3:09
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
4    Moving Waves 2:42
Written-By – Inayat Khan, Thijs Van Leer
5    Focus II 4:03
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
Eruption    (23:04)
2-6a    –    Orfeus (Eruption) 1:22
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
2-6b    –    Answer (Eruption) 1:35
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
2-6c    –    Orfeus (Eruption) 1:20
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
2-6d    –    Answer (Eruption) 0:52
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
2-6e    –    Pupilla (Eruption) 1:03
Vocals – Cyril Havermans
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
2-6f    –    Tommy (Eruption) 1:45
Written-By – Tom Barlage
2-6g    –    Pupilla (Eruption) 0:34
Vocals – Cyril Havermans
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
2-6h    –    Answer (Eruption) 0:21
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
2-6i    –    The Bridge (Eruption) 5:20
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
2-6j    –    Euridice (Eruption) 1:40
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer, Eelko Nobel
2-6k    –    Dayglow (Eruption) 2:09
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
2-6l    –    Endless Road (Eruption) 1:36
Written-By – Pierre Van Der Linden
2-6m    –    Answer (Eruption) 0:34
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
2-6n    –    Orfeus (Eruption) 0:52
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
2-6o    –    Euridice (Eruption) 1:37
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer, Eelko Nobel
Credits :
Bass – Cyriel Havermans
Drums – Pierre Van Der Linden
Guitar, Bass, Acoustic Guitar – Jan Akkerman
Organ, Harmonium, Organ [Melotron], Flute [Soprano], Flute [Alto], Piano – Thijs Van Leer
Voice [Voices] – Cyriel Havermans, Thijs Van Leer

        Focus 3    (1972)

Riding on the success of their hit single "Hocus Pocus" from the revolutionary Moving Waves album, Focus got to work on this, their third LP in four years. While the debut album featured a style not too dissimilar to the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, Focus' second LP, Moving Waves, was purely instrumental and wholly serious-minded. Focus III kept this same sound, but approached it with a jollier, more accessible tone. As with its predecessor, Focus III featured only one tune that would have a chance of being a hit single. The enjoyable rhythm of "Sylvia," partnered with Jan Akkerman's victorious guitar solo, some of Van Leer's finest organ work, Bert Ruiter's tight basslines, and Pierre Van Der Linden's mellow drumming, assured the track classic status. "Sylvia" found worldwide success and gained the band valuable radio and press exposure. The song remains one of the most loved and best remembered songs from Focus' catalog. The consistency in musical quality throughout Focus III is enough to merit any listeners' respect. To be frank, this LP has it all: diverse songs, astounding musicianship, one of the finest singles ever released -- Focus III should unquestionably be ranked alongside the likes of Revolver, Dark Side of the Moon, and any others of rock's greatest. by Ben Davies
Tracklist :
1    Round Goes The Gossip 5:12
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
2    Love Remembered 2:50
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
3    Sylvia 3:31
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
4    Carnival Fugue 6:09
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
5    Focus III 6:05
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
6    Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers! 13:48
Written-By – Bert Ruiter, Jan Akkerman
7    Elspeth Of Nottingham 3:10
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
8    Anonymus II 26:24
Written-By – Bert Ruiter, Jan Akkerman, Pierre Van Der Linden, Thijs Van Leer
Credits :
Bass – Bert Ruiter
Drums – Pierre Van Der Linden
Guitar – Jan Akkerman
Flute, Harpsichord, Organ, Piano, Vocals – Thijs Van Leer

        At The Rainbow (1973)

The instrumental rockers of the early '70s never were any good at dulling down their musical expertise; and, indeed, it's only a matter of seconds into their first and only live release -- Live at the Rainbow -- until one realizes just how talented Focus were. Jan Akkerman, named "World's Best Guitarist" by Melody Maker in 1973 ahead of Eric Clapton and others, was amazingly on form in this performance. Thijs Van Leer, chief songwriter and performer in the band, showcased his talents on flute, vocals, and organ with unparalleled finesse. Bert Ruiter knocked out his basslines tight to Pierre Van Der Linden's drums, undoubtedly two of the finest players on their respective instruments. It would be so easy to go off on a tangent explaining the mastery that Focus had musically; suffice to say, however, the bands technical proficiency is rarely matched in the world of rock. Live at the Rainbow featured some of the band's best and most well known tracks: "Sylvia," "Hocus Pocus," "Focus II," and so on. Although much of the content sticks closely to its original studio form (12-minute tracks were regular on studio albums), with maybe an extra solo or two thrown in for good measure, a few songs host drastic changes. "Hocus Pocus," for example, is almost unrecognizable. This live version is multiple times faster than its studio counterpart -- those familiar with only the studio version are certainly in for a shock! Throughout the album the performance is simply astonishing. Live at the Rainbow is a fine purchase for any Focus fan, or, indeed, anyone looking for a band with a good degree of originality and musical ability. by Ben Davies
Tracklist :    
1    Focus III 3:54
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
2    Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers! 11:38
Written-By – Bert Ruiter, Jan Akkerman
3    Focus II 4:27
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
Eruption    (8:29)
4-4a    –    Orfeus (Eruption) 1:33
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
4-4b    –    Answer (Eruption) 1:25
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
4-4c    –    Orfeus (Eruption) 1:22
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
4-4d    –    Answer (Eruption) 0:20
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
4-4e    –    Pupilla (Eruption) 1:10
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
4-4f    –    Tommy (Eruption) 1:54
Written-By – Tom Barlage
4-4g    –    Pupilla (Eruption) 0:45
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
5    Hocus Pocus 8:29
Written-By – Jan Akkerman, Thijs Van Leer
6    Sylvia 2:48
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
7    Hocus Pocus (Reprise) 2:47
Written-By – Jan Akkerman, Thijs Van Leer
Credits :
Drums – Pierre Van Der Linden
Guitar – Jan Akkerman
Vocals [Vocal], Bass Guitar – Bert Ruiter
Vocals [Vocal], Organ, Flute – Thijs van Leer

    Hamburger Concerto (1974)    

Focus had well proven their ability to write rocking instrumentals by the time of this release. Their catalog, although consisting of four albums, rarely had a dull moment between them. Hamburger Concerto is equally consistent, much of it being prime Focus material. The Akkerman-written "Birth" and "Early Birth" are examples of Focus fully flexing their muscles, featuring superb guitar work and amazing all-round musicianship, as well as sporting some superb riffs. The usual lengthy instrumentals are present also, as well as some manic vocals from the manic but genius Thijs Van Leer. Although Hamburger Concerto is not as unerring as Moving Waves or Focus III, anyone who enjoyed the previous releases would undoubtedly find great satisfaction from this album. by Ben Davies
Tracklist :
1    Delitae Musicae 1:13
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
2    Harem Scarem 5:52
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
3    La Cathedrale De Strasbourg 4:59
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
4    Birth 7:46
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
Hamburger Concerto    (20:19)
5-5a    –    Starter (Hamburger Concerto) 1:59
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
5-5b    –    Rare (Hamburger Concerto) 3:24
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
5-5c    –    Medium I (Hamburger Concerto) 4:06
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
5-5d    –    Medium II (Hamburger Concerto) 6:03
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
5-5e    –    Well Done (Hamburger Concerto) 3:27
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
5-5f    –    One For The Road (Hamburger Concerto) 1:20
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
6    Early Birth 2:54
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
Credits :
Bass Guitar, Autoharp, Triangle, Finger Cymbals [Chinese Finger Cymbals], Handclaps, Bells [Swiss] – Bert Ruiter
Drums, Congas [Conga Drum], Tambourine, Castanets, Cabasa, Wood Block [Woodblock], Gong [Chinese], Timpani, Handclaps, Percussion [Flexatone], Cuica – Colin Allen
Lute, Timpani, Handclaps, Guitar [All Guitars Including Akkerman (Himself)] – Jan Akkerman
Organ, Piano, Harpsichord, Electric Piano, Flute, Alto Flute, Synthesizer [ARP], Recorder, Mellotron, Vibraphone [Vibes], Accordion, Organ [The Organ Of St. Mary The Virgin, Barnes], Handclaps, Voice [All Voices], Whistling – Thijs van Leer

        Mother Focus (1975)    

Focus here featured virtuoso guitarist Jan Akkerman for the last time, not to work with his long-term writing partner Thijs Van Leer for another ten years. Mother Focus also sees Focus' highly skilled bass player Bert Ruiter try his hand in songwriting. The outcome includes the one of the finest funk tracks on the album -- the hilarious "I Need a Bathroom." The album begins with quite possibly the finest track on the album -- and maybe the most typical Focus -- the titular "Mother Focus." The funky theme underlying the number sets the mood for the rest of the LP with aplomb. Indeed, Mother Focus is far from the usual instrumental material. For this reason, Mother Focus may not appeal to the usual fans of the Dutch proggers. The number of feel-good tunes making up the album's core makes up for the lack of a rocking single in the style of "Hocus Pocus." A mellower, happier aura permeates the recording as a whole, particularly noticeable in the soothing "Tropic Bird." Undoubtedly, though, Mother Focus is let down by the lack of Akkerman's and Thijs' presence. The whole album cries out for one of them to jump out and take center stage for a while. Instead each track is filled with numerous melodies and rhythms, with only the occasional jaunt from Akkerman. Mother Focus is a fine album in its own right, but maybe not what one would be expecting when taking into account the progressive rock features of their earlier albums. Funk predominates in the last respectable Focus LP. RIP Focus. by Ben Davies  
Tracklist :
1    Mother Focus 3:04
Written-By – Bert Ruiter, Jan Akkerman, Thijs Van Leer
2    I Need A Bathroom 3:06
Vocals – Bert Ruiter
Written-By – Bert Ruiter
3    Bennie Helder 3:32
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
4    Soft Vanilla 3:03
Written-By – Bert Ruiter
5    Hard Vanilla 2:36
Written-By – Bert Ruiter
6    Tropic Bird 2:43
Written-By – Bert Ruiter
7    Focus IV 3:59
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
8    Someone’s Crying ... What! 3:20
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
9    All Together ... Oh That! 3:42
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
10    No Hang Ups 2:58
Written-By – Paul Stoppelman
11    My Sweetheart 3:36
Written-By – Bert Ruiter, Jan Akkerman, Thijs Van Leer
12    Father Bach 1:34
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
Credits :
Bass – Bert Ruiter
Drums – David Kemper
Guitar – Jan Akkerman
Keyboards, Flute – Thys Van Leer

        Ship Of Memories (1976)    

Ship of Memories, a collection of rarities from Focus' catalog, is somewhat more diverse than most of the band's other releases. Starting off with "P's March," a track rooted in the style of Focus' debut album In and Out of Focus, Ship of Memories gradually works its way through the band's many phases to the Mother Focus styled "Crackers." The album ends on a superb song, the U.S. version of "Hocus Pocus." For Europeans, this addition to Ship of Memories ("Hocus Pocus" U.S. was never on the LP version, but was later added to the CD release) comes as an absolute delight. Not only is the song a verified rarity on the continent, but it is also vastly different from the U.K. recording. Akkermans' guitar work, Van Leer's yodeling, and Pierre Van Der Linden's drumming are all given a new lease of life by the inclusion of this track. Despite the songwriting quality not being of the highest caliber, sparks of genius pop up at various places. Collectors will be well-gratified by Ship of Memories, while casual listeners will find enough enjoyable material to merit its purchase. by Ben Davies
Tracklist :
1    P's March 4:48
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
2    Can’t Believe My Eyes 5:23
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
3    Focus V 3:02
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
4    Out Of Vesuvius 5:50
Written-By – Bert Ruiter, Jan Akkerman
5    Glider 4:39
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
6    Red Sky At Night 5:51
Written-By – Jan Akkerman, Thijs Van Leer
7    Spoke The Lord Creator 2:33
Written-By – Eric Cleuver, Thijs Van Leer
8    Crackers 2:44
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
9    Ship Of Memories 1:47
Written-By – Pierre Van Der Linden
10    Hocus Pocus (U.S. Single Version) 3:25
Written-By – Jan Akkerman, Thijs Van Leer
Performer [Line-Up] – Bert Ruiter, David Kemper, Hans Cleuver, Jan Akkerman, Martijn Dresden, Pierre Van Der Linden, Thijs Van Leer

        Focus Con Proby    (1978)

As great ideas go... this probably wasn't one. Take one down-on-its-luck European prog band, three years and several missing members past its prime; one 60s semi-superstar whose actual renown as a performer was never as vast as his admirers and PR cuttings insisted it was;and then send them in the studio together. What do you think you'd get?

Actually, you get a lot more than you were probably expecting. Even without Jan Akkerman, "Sylvia and the trademark yodelling solos, Focus circa 1978 remained a formidable instrumental force, with guitarist Eef Albers readily capable of assuming his illustrious predecessor's mantel, and Thijs Van Leer continuing to pen some remarkable melodies and passages. PJ Proby, too, could still sing the birds out of the trees when he put his mind to it and, compared with the multitude of other projects to which he turned his tonsils during the 70s and 80s, his collaboration with Focus might well be the only one that does live up to all his own hype.

Proby features on five of the album's nine tracks, and it's a sign of how seamlessly the two sides came together that, after a handful of listens, Focus' own instrumentals actually seem somewhat lacking - in punch, in power and in purpose. Two Albers tracks, "Orion" and the jazzy "Night Flights", are especially disappointing, all the more so since they fall between two of Proby's own greatest showcases, "Wingless" and the supremely stately "Eddy".

In idle hours, one can regret that the team never tried its hand at what remains one of the most legendary jewels in the Focus archive, the lyric-laden version of "Sylvia that Van Leer wrote (but, apparently, never recorded) in the late 1960s - with its haunting guitar backdrop, "Eddy" comes close, but it's not quite the same thing. Overall, however, it's difficult to fault the music these two unlikely poles did conjoin to create, rendering Focus Con Proby one of the most unexpected triumphs in the entire Focus catalog. And one of the best things Proby has ever done. by Dave Thompson
Tracklist :
1    Wingless 535
Written-By – Roselie van Leer, Thijs Van Leer
2    Orion 4:08
Written-By – Eef Albers
3    Night Flight 3:40
Written-By – Eef Albers
4    Eddy 5:54
Written-By – Roselie van Leer, Thijs Van Leer
5    Sneezing Bull 4:27
Written-By – Philip Catherine
6    Brother 5:19
Written-By – Roselie van Leer, Thijs Van Leer
7    Tokyo Rose 5:08
Written-By – Roselie van Leer
8    Maximum 8:40
Written-By – Bert Ruiter, Thijs Van Leer
9    How Long 5:16
Written-By – Roselie van Leer, Thijs Van Leer
Performer – Bert Ruiter, Philip Catherine, Steve Smith, Thijs Van Leer
Vocals – P.J. Proby

        Focus : Jan Akkerman & Thijs Van Leer (1985)    

Tracklist :
1    Russian Roulette 5:54
Bass Guitar – Tato Gómez
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
2    King Kong 3:55
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
3    Le Tango 4:55
Drums [Drum Fills] – Sergio Castillo
Written-By – Roselie Peters, Thijs Van Leer
4    Indian Summer 5:50
Bass Guitar – Tato Gómez
Tabla – Ustad Zamir Ahmed Khan
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
5    Beethoven's Revenge (Bach-One-Turbo-Overdrive) 18:53
Double Bass [Big Bass] – Ruud Jacobs
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
6    Ole Judy 3:52
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
7    Who's Calling 16:22
Written-By – Jan Akkerman, Thijs Van Leer

        Focus 8    (2002)

Focus 8 is a fantastic record by Thijs van Leer, Jan Dumée, Bobby Jacobs, and Bert Smaak, the new-millennium version of the band Focus. The instrumentals show real spirit and creativity without the bombast of the 1973 opus "Hocus Pocus," which branded the group forever as "progressive rock." Yes, it is still arty King Crimson meets Jethro Tull stuff, the flute taking even more of the space than an Ian Anderson might grant it, but there is something about this album that takes hold and makes for a surprising listening experience. The quartet somehow keeps the ostentatious aspect of the genre down to a minimum and puts the emphasis on serious explorations of what it does best. For an hour's worth of mostly instrumental prowess, it is quite an achievement. Where Tull's A Passion Play was a tedious listen, every title here rings out with its own personality, "Hurkey Turkey" speaking in tongues as the keyboards/guitar/drums converge with the bass and some strange vocal improvisations. "Blizu Tebe" also has great merit, the album displaying a cohesion one expects from Phish and other jam bands, a format one doesn't consider when thinking of Focus. The result is a dreamy blend of majestic instrumental melodies, a really stunning achievement for an entity that has gone through so many evolutions. It may be just another day at the office for this group, but it is quite a day, and with sufficient exposure, Focus 8 could bring in an entirely new audience in for this veteran act. A really special release. by Joe Viglione
Tracklist :
1    Rock & Rio 3:27
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
2    Tamara's Move (Allegro-Adagio-Allegro) 5:17
Written-By – Jan Dumée
3    Fretless Love 6:08
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
4    Hurkey Turkey 4:15
Written-By – T. van der Kaaij, Thijs Van Leer
5    De Ti O De Mi 6:30
Written-By – Bobby Jacobs
6    Focus 8 6:19
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
7    Što Ces Raditi Ostatac Života? 5:26
Written-By – Jan Dumée
8    Neurotic (Rehearsal Take) 3:47
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
9    Brother 5:39
Written-By – Jeannette Peters, Thijs Van Leer
10    Blizu Tebe 6:38
Written-By – Jan Dumée
11    Flower Shower 5:41
Written-By – Bert Smaak, Bobby Jacobs, Jan Dumée, Thijs Van Leer
Credits :
Bass Guitar – Bobby Jacobs
Drums – Bert Smaak
Flute, Vocals – Thijs Van Leer
Guitar, Vocals – Jan Dumée

        Focus 9 / New Skin (2006)

Following on from the 2002 surprise comeback album Focus 8, founding member Thijs Van Leer prolongs this legendary Dutch band's inspired new run with what would, in the '70s, have been called a double-LP's worth of further new material. Moreover, Pierre van der Linden (drummer of the classic '70s Focus lineup) joins him this time, with young partner Bobby Jacobs remaining on bass, but Niels VanDerSteenhoven replacing guitarist Jan Dumée. Not to worry, though, he too captures the sound and quality of original Focus guitarist Jan Akkerman just as perfectly as his predecessor -- in tune with the fact that this quartet manages to recapture the original band's sound every bit as well as happened on Focus 8. Mostly instrumental as usual, the listener can delve into the classic sound of a Hammond organ led Baroque rock/jazz-rock mixture (with smatterings of flute), and feel like it's 1972 all over again. Of course, back then Focus was a progressive band -- not a trick that they can turn nowadays. What we get here are further variations on their original template, and strict critics could also accuse them of veering toward results that are too close to easy listening. But it would feel a bit churlish to say so, because the overriding feeling one gets listening to this album is one of calm and of good humor, flowing from compositions that are obviously played with care, precision, and enthusiasm, and in no way cheap in spirit. Be they anthemic tunes such as "Black Beauty" or "Curtain Call," humorous outings such as "Aya-Yuppie-Hippie-Yee," elegies like "Focus 7," or nice little tunes such as "Pim." One possible lowlight: "Focus 9" is a composition that should best have been titled "Sisyphus" -- it does feel like a musical study in frustration -- but on the upside it shows that the guys still are indeed willing to challenge the listener sometimes. Way more fun to follow is the (also lengthy) "European Rap(sody)," which features Thijs van Leer incorporating a fan's lyric composed of various titles of Focus songs and albums, enveloped in an anthemic sweep (preceded by a jaunt through various diversions into European music traditions). All in all, a "mild mannered album" but one that provides an atmosphere of warm, calm elegance in a way that has become pretty rare. by Alan Severa  
Tracklist :    
1    Black Beauty 4:13
Written-By – Eric Cleuver, Thijs Van Leer
2    Focus 7 5:22
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
3    Hurkey Turkey 2 4:03
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
4    Sylvia’s Stepson - Ubatuba 4:48
Written-By – Bobby Jacobs
5    Niel's Skin 6:03
Written-By – Niels Van Der Steenhoven
6    Just Like Eddy 5:08
Vocals – Jo De Roeck
Written-By – Roselie Peters, Thijs Van Leer
7    Aya-Yuppie-Hippie-Yee 5:20
Written-By – Bobby Jacobs, Thijs Van Leer
8    Focus 9 7:57
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
9    Curtain Call 4:32
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
10    Ode To Venus 4:26
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
11    European Rap(sody) 10:22
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
12    Pim 3:00
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
13    It Takes 2 2 Tango 8:01
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
14    Brazil Love 6:16
Written-By – Bobby Jacobs, Niels Van Der Steenhoven, Pierre Van Der Linden, Thijs Van Leer
Credits :
Bass [Fender Bass], Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Bobby Jacobs
Drums – Pierre Van Der Linden
Electric Guitar [Electric Guitars], Acoustic Guitar – Niels Van Der Steenhoven
Electric Organ [Hammond Organ], Piano, Flute [Flutes], Melodica, Vocals – Thijs Van Leer

        Focus X    (2012)

Tracklist :
1    Father Bacchus 4:04
Written-By – Menno Gootjes
2    Focus 10 5:48
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
3    Victoria 5:28
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
4    Amok In Kindergarten 5:00
Written-By – Bobby Jacobs
5    All Hens On Deck 5:45
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
6    Birds Come Fly Over (Le Tango) 5:26
Vocals – Ivan Lins
Written-By – Roselie Peters, Thijs Van Leer
7    Hoeratio 5:38
Written-By – Bobby Jacobs
8    Talk Of The Clown 2:59
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
9    Message Magique 3:53
Written-By – Ben Van Der Linden
10    Crossroads 5:39
Vocals – Berenice van Leer
Written-By – Roselie Peters, Thijs Van Leer
Credits :
Bass – Bobby Jacobs
Design – Roger Dean
Drums – Pierre Van Der Linden
Flute, Vocals, Vocoder, Organ [Hammond-organ] – Thijs Van Leer
Guitar – Menno Gootjes

        The Best Of Focus - Hocus Pocus    (1993)

Since the band has a seven-album strong catalog, each with many highlights, compiling a Focus best-of could never be an easy task. Fortunately, the people behind this release have done a super job. Although it includes none of the band's lengthy jams which made up the bulk parts of Focus III, Moving Waves, and Hamburger Concerto, Hocus Pocus is one of the best releases to highlight what Focus were all about. Featuring all of the hits and semi-hits the band were ever known for ("Sylvia," "Hocus Pocus," "House of the King"), as well as the fans favorites ("Focus [Instrumental]", "Harem Scarem," "Anonymous") this release highlights the musical ability and amazing songwriting talent that were part and parcel of Focus. There is, unfortunately, a little too much of the track listing hailing from the band's rather weak funk/rock album Mother Focus. There are also a few exclusions that could have added to the album's diversity, namely "Moving Waves," "Love Remembered," and "Round Goes the Gossip." Although the band's seminal album, Focus III, perhaps provides a more accurate picture of their overall makeup, Hocus Pocus will unquestionably gratify the purchaser. by Ben Davies  
Tracklist :
1    Hocus Pocus 6:42
Written-By – Jan Akkerman, Thijs Van Leer
2    Anonymus 6:43
Written-By – Hans Cleuver, Jan Akkerman, Martijn Dresden, Thijs Van Leer
3    House Of The King 2:51
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
4    Focus (Instrumental) 9:39
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
5    Janis 3:09
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
6    Focus II 4:03
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
7    Tommy 3:23
Written-By – Tom Barlage
8    Sylvia 3:31
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
9    Focus III 6:05
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
10    Harem Scarem 5:52
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
11    Mother Focus 3:04
Written-By – Bert Ruiter, Jan Akkerman, Thijs Van Leer
12    Focus IV 3:59
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
13    Bennie Helder 3:32
Written-By – Thijs Van Leer
14    Glider 4:39
Written-By – Jan Akkerman
15    Red Sky At Night 5:51
Written-By – Jan Akkerman, Thijs Van Leer
16    Hocus Pocus (U.S. Single Version) 3:25
Written-By – Jan Akkerman, Thijs Van Leer
Musician – Bert Ruiter, Colin Allen, Cyril Havermans, David Kemper, Hans Cleuver, Jan Akkerman, Martijn Dresden, Pierre Van Der Linden, Thijs Van Leer