Focus
Moving Waves

In 1971, the Dutch band Focus released 'Moving Waves', which in the Netherlands was released under the name Focus II and with a completely different cover.

This wonderful album propelled the band into the spotlight thanks to the hit Hocus Pocus, often considered by many as the gem of the entire Focus discography. A solid, overwhelming, and sharp guitar riff, a potent bass line, drums that explode between verse and chorus, and a crazy Thijs van Leer who engages in yodeling and falsetto, emitting the strangest vocalizations, playing not only a flute that is aggressively assertive, but also the accordion and keyboards: the formula works brilliantly, there is genius in this song. It is noticed across the Atlantic as well, where this song climbs the charts with a killer single version. Then the tones settle with Le Clochard, essentially a brief arpeggio by guitarist Jan Akkerman. Janis is another beautiful passionate slow piece, somewhat melancholic and poignant in the flute parts, where Cyril Havermans' bass shines. Moving Waves is a piece tailor-made for Thijs van Leer featuring singing over the piano that truly evokes the waves of the sea. Focus II is another memorable track, with the typical Focus hues, especially where the tempo accelerates only to magically blend back into the main theme.

But the highlight of the album comes now: Eruption, based on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, is the grand suite of the album, running for a full 23 minutes. It consists of wonderful melodic parts, always a bit jammed and jazzy in typical Focus style. After the intro's first movement (Orfeus) comes the main theme (Answer) which is very progressive before transitioning into a beautiful slow that extends with the harmonious vocalizations of Thijs van Leer, sinuously weaving in here and there. In the movement The Bridge, the rhythm introduced by Jan Akkerman with the guitar is truly frightening, followed by one of his fabulous solos, which ends only with the start of the keyboard virtuosity of Thijs van Leer. Then with Euridice introduced by the delightful piano, we find more dreamy atmospheres, where even the flute seems to speak an elven language, like a sort of song from Rivendell from The Lord of the Rings, just listen to the following piece titled Dayglow. Drummer Pierre van der Linden also finds his space, with a noteworthy solo called Endless Road. Then the three final movements: the reprise of the main theme and a grand finale with piano and splendid guitar phrasing to support the sweet-toned flute.

'Moving Waves' along with Focus 3 is the cornerstone of Focus's discography. Spectacle from beginning to end, this album is permeated with a very particular atmosphere. Already from the first listen, you'll be thrilled!