Founded by keyboardist, vocalist, and flautist Thijs van Leer in 1969 , FOCUS have certainly been at the forefront of the progressive music movement since their iconic album Moving Waves (1971), and the disc’s lead single “Hocus Pocus” —yet these venerable musicians remain constantly crafting fascinating, inventive, and masterfully articulated material.
This is demonstrated by the 2024 album Focus 12, which illustrates why FOCUS remain a steadfast favourite in the pavilions of progdom.
Age is merely an incidental metric to Thijs van Leer (75) and drummer Pierre van der Linden (78) who both continue to enthusiastically contribute to the band project. The bulk of new material was written by Thijs, who rises every day at 4.30 am to work on his pieces. While some of Pierre’s best & most dynamic drum patterns to date can be heard on the new recording.
These days guitars are by Menno Gootjes (who also handles piano & synths for the band) while bass & synth programming are completed by Udo Pannekeet.
Guitarist Jan Akkerman left the original line-up in 1976 after musical disagreements with Thijs van Leer, though the founding musicians amicably collaborate, from time to time.
Focus 12 features two pieces by Udo Pannekeet and Menno Gootjes, thus letting the younger members of the moving wave to take sonic responsibility for recording & producing new sounds.
Thijs says, “How beautiful life can be when a band plays so easily and so together.”
And continues: “Thanks Pierre, Udo and Menno for so much musical passion!”
The recording of Focus 12 took place at the famed Wisseloord Studios in the Netherlands. The album includes a fully improvised piece that was laid-down during the recording process, representing a first for the band and demonstrating that these musicians, wise as they might be, are still as enthusiastic about trying something novel!
The front cover & package feature exquisite artwork by the iconic ‘prog-rock’ artist Roger Dean, with whom the band continues a longstanding and fruitful partnership. The gatefold jacket of the vinyl version is stunning.
As one of the hardest working rock bands on the planet, Focus stays relevant and passionate. Indeed, they will be performing across the USA and Canada in July as a part of Asia’s Heat Of The Moment Tour.
Thijs van Leer concludes “After all these years, Focus is in the here and now; the triumph of survival!
Order here: https://burningshed.com/store/focus
Photo Credit: Raymond Steenwijk