FOCUS II [AKA: MOVING WAVES]

No doubt, Moving Waves is a classic album of prog rock! Van Leer and Akkerman got together again, re-considered the outcome of their challenging but under-developed debut, changed the rhythm section and recorded a masterpiece!

Hocus Pocus with its wild guitar riff, amazing flute and hysterical Van Leer's yodeling is now a classic of metallic heavy rocking. In contrast, Le Clochard and Janis are gentle acoustic pieces with beautiful melodies and atmosphere reminiscent of the later CAMEL albums. This time vocals are used more sparsely and in a more effective way than on the debut album - now they are reduced to mere instrumental purpose, save for the brief lyrics in the title track, which resembles a nice classical music piece led by piano.

Focus II brings some rather elaborated and inspired jazz-rock improvisations where Akkerman's guitar is simply unbeatable. The side-long suite Eruption continues with more improvisational jams and several more amazing solo parts by Akkerman (there are certain SANTANA-like jams) , although the entire composition (23 min.) seems a bit stretched out and several moments are quite close to a sleepy lounge music.

Nevertheless, Moving Waves is absolutely essential album in the progressive rock catalog!

PERSONAL RATING: 4,5/5

P.A. RATING: 5/5