HAMBURGER CONCERTO

This is the downward spiral Focus, recorded when internal arguments where overtaking any creative jism. Where before, they'd blast out tracks like Hocus Pocus-- here, we get Harum Scarum, a lame attempt to reach the charts, again. They gave us Question? Answers! Answers? Questions! on 'Focus III'; HERE, the title piece is flat, over- orchestrated, too polite and sorely lacking Akkerman's punch. Even 'Ship Of Memories', an LP of leftovers they couldn't fit on other albums, has more personality than this. I waited a seeming eternity for this record to be released, originally. When it was, it came out with almost no fanfare, and very little promotion. Everybody knew it was a dud.