HOCUS POCUS: THE BEST OF FOCUS

One of the most recognizable pieces of music from the definitive era of progressive rock was an unusual composition entitled Hocus Pocus by Dutch neo-classical rockers, Focus. With it`s hysterical yodeling, razzle dazzle guitar soloing and furious drum fills two versions of this prog showpiece of showpieces book-end this compact overview of thier music from `69 -`76 ommitting material from a 1973 live LP as well as the final Focus Con Proby which was a Focus album in name only and did not contain the magic and essence of the partnership of flautist / keyboardist Thijs Van Leer and guitarist Jan Akkerman.

Included here along with the two Hocus Pocuses are the band`s other singles. House of the King, which is often mistaken for a Jethro Tull piece with it`s folky flute licks, Tommy, an instrumental excerpt from a longer suite like piece, Eruption and Sylvia a which features Akkerman`s pop oriented guitar lines. Besides these obvious choices the compilers have also decided to trace the evolution of the band through a series of tracks entitled Focus I through IV which emphasize the band`s less ostenatious and softer prog rock visions which include classical & jazz influences. Interspersed are other pieces which are inserted chronologically in the order of album release at the discretion of the compilers.

Rendering earlier vinyl compilations on their various record labels superfluous, Hocus Pocus : The Best Of Focus is the only option for those who must at least own something from this remarkable Dutch band on CD. Focus initially became known on the strength of the "novelty" piece, Hocus Pocus* which was ironically a black sheep composition that was very unlike any of their previous or subsequent music as this excellent compilation demonstrates. What it does share with all other Focus music though, is virtuosic musicianship as both Akkerman and Van Leer recieved formal music education in the classics and every piece here reflects not only on this, but also their ability to apply this training to modern musical situations incorporating rock and jazz stylings.

While time restraints preclude the inclusion of the group`s longer running improvisational and suite - like compositions the material presented here more than adequately represents the some of the band`s peak moments throughout the Van Leer Akkerman partnership.

* the earlier House Of The King would only hit the charts after it`s re-release on 1973`s Focus III L