MOTHER FOCUS

Disco Focus would have probably been a more suitable title for this last Focus album before Akkerman and Van Leer decided they hated each other`s guts.ABBA could have been easily called in to lay down vocal tracks on this funky one. Although traces of the classical themes which made their earlier work shine are still present on tracks like Bennie Helder and Father Bach this record has absolutely nothing to do with previous work. Guitarist Jan Akkerman`s pre-occupation with more upbeat,simpler and shorter songs undoubtedly had a lot to do with the drastic change in musical direction.This is also reflected on his post Focus solo work.There`s certainly a feeling of tension in the music as Akkerman persists with the funk thing despite Van Leer`s attempts to slip in the odd classical phrasing here and there. Akkerman even makes his singing debut on I Need A Bathroom which was penned by bassist Bert Ruiter. The addition of American drummer Dave Kemper in place of Colin Allen does nothing as Allen was probably fed up with the incessant bickering between Akkerman and Van Leer. Disco Focus is definitely not a happy album from our once happy Dutch Masters and ultimately sounded the death knell for the band. From Masters of Rock to Masters of Shlock, avoid this horrible and tragic way for this once brilliant band to bite the dust.