Record Reviews
13 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | JAN AKKERMAN ~ ARANJUEZ
GOTT DISCS 009 ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1978
7th album by the Dutch guitar virtuoso Jan AkkermanFind albums by this artist and ex-member of FocusFind albums by this artist. The fascination with classical music was eveident on all Akkerman`s early solo albums and his excellent acoustic guitar playing of classical material served as an alter ego to his energetic electric rock accomplishments. This is a splendid album, beautifully arranged by Claus OgermanFind albums by this artist, who also conducts the classical orchestra accompanying the guitarist and who also worked with other Focus memeber Thijs van LeerFind albums by this artist on his classical solo albums. Akkerman performs mostly classical material by Rodrigo, Villa-Lobos, Ravel and others, with just one composition of his own. This is a gentle, delicate work of passion - not for everybody, but those with the classical streak in them will enjoy this one immensly.
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | FOCUS ~ AT THE RAINBOW
RED BULLET 66.190 (Barcode: 8712944661903) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2001
This is the 4th album (and the only live album) by the great Dutch group FocusFind albums by this artist, led by flautist / keyboardist / composer Thijs van LeerFind albums by this artist, which also included the brilliant guitarist / composer Jan AkkermanFind albums by this artist. Following the somewhat unfocused debut album, this masterpiece finds them at their absolute best, an album which is one of the best classic Prog albums of all times and an essential piece of music history. Recorded at the legendary London venue "The Rainbow" it captures the group at their absolute peak and is one of the greatest live Prog albums of all times. A timeless classic!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | FOCUS ~ FOCUS 3
RED BULLET 66.189 (Barcode: 8712944661897) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1972 Released: 2001
This is the 3rd album by the great Dutch group FocusFind albums by this artist, led by flautist / keyboardist / composer Thijs van LeerFind albums by this artist, which also included the brilliant guitarist / composer Jan AkkermanFind albums by this artist. Following the somewhat unfocused debut album, this masterpiece finds them at their absolute best, an album which is one of the best classic Prog albums of all times and an essential piece of music history. Originally a double LP it includes the suite "Anonymous Two" (over 26 minutes long) is a beautiful example of the scope and imagination of music made at the time. A timeless classic!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | FOCUS ~ HAMBURGER CONCERTO
RED BULLET 66.191 (Barcode: 8712944661910) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2001
This is the 5th album by the great Dutch group FocusFind albums by this artist, led by flautist / keyboardist / composer Thijs van LeerFind albums by this artist, which also included the brilliant guitarist / composer Jan AkkermanFind albums by this artist. Following the somewhat unfocused debut album, this masterpiece finds them at their absolute best, an album which is one of the best classic Prog albums of all times and an essential piece of music history. Returning to the studio after releasing the live album "At The RainbowFind albums with this title", the band is still at their absolute peak and the resulting masterpiece is the last great peace of music the band was destined to record. The 20 plus minutes long title track is a Prog epitome. A timeless classic!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | FOCUS ~ IN AND OUT OF FOCUS
RED BULLET 66.187 (Barcode: 8712944661873) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2001
This is the 1st album by the great Dutch group FocusFind albums by this artist, led by flautist / keyboardist / composer Thijs van LeerFind albums by this artist, which also included the brilliant guitarist / composer Jan AkkermanFind albums by this artist. Following this somewhat unfocused debut album, the group released several masterpiece albums, which were some of the best classic Prog albums of all times and an essential piece of music history. This album finds them searching for their unique sound and style, mixing Jazz influences and Rock sound, as no other group before them. In retrospect it is still a solid Prog album and the obvious virtuosity and sense of melody of these great musicians is omnipresent. It is a must for all Focus fans!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | FOCUS ~ LIVE IN SOUTH AMERICA
SOL & DENEB 15 ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2002 Released: 2004
Composer, flutists, keyboards player and bandleader Thijs van LeerFind albums by this artist revived the legendary Dutch band FocusFind albums by this artist in 2002 with three younger musicians: Jan DuméeFind albums by this artist – guitar, Bobby JacobsFind albums by this artist – bass and Bert SmaakFind albums by this artist – drums. The quartet recorded a new studio album (Focus 8Find albums with this title) and later embarked on an extensive American tour, which covered both the North and South continent. This album is a selection of live recording captured at various locations of the South American leg of the tour. The material includes all the fabulous classic material originating from the 1970s albums and can be viewed as a “best of” review of what the original group had to offer. After all Focus managed to create some of the most memorable Prog melodies, and they are all included here (“Syliva”, “Eruption”, “Hocus Pocus”, etc.), performed with freshness and vigor. The sound quality is also surprisingly good and all together this is an excellent tribute to the glory days of this great Prog group. This is a must to all the fans of the group and an excellent introduction to the group illustrious output for those who were too young to enjoy it at the time.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | FOCUS ~ MOTHER FOCUS
RED BULLET 66.192 (Barcode: 8712944661927) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2001
This is the 6th album by the great Dutch group FocusFind albums by this artist, led by flautist / keyboardist / composer Thijs van LeerFind albums by this artist, which also included the brilliant guitarist / composer Jan AkkermanFind albums by this artist. Following the somewhat unfocused debut album, the group released several masterpiece albums, which were some of the best classic Prog albums of all times and an essential piece of music history. This album finds them trying to find a new style, which is more commercially oriented that the earlier material. Although received with criticism at the time, in retrospect it is still a solid Prog album and the obvious virtuosity and sense of melody of these great musicians is omnipresent. It is a must for all Focus fans!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | FOCUS ~ MOVING WAVES
RED BULLET 66.188 (Barcode: 8712944661880) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2001
This is the 2nd album by the great Dutch group FocusFind albums by this artist, led by flautist / keyboardist / composer Thijs van LeerFind albums by this artist, which also included the brilliant guitarist / composer Jan AkkermanFind albums by this artist. Following the somewhat unfocused debut album, this masterpiece finds them at their absolute best, an album which is one of the best classic Prog albums of all times and an essential piece of music history. The suite "Eruption" (over 23 minutes long) is a beautiful example of the scope and imagination of music made at the time. A timeless classic!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | FOCUS ~ SHIP OF MEMORIES
RED BULLET 66.193 (Barcode: 8712944661934) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2001
This is the 7th album by the great Dutch group FocusFind albums by this artist, led by flautist / keyboardist / composer Thijs van LeerFind albums by this artist, which also included the brilliant guitarist / composer Jan AkkermanFind albums by this artist. Following the somewhat unfocused debut album, the group released several masterpiece albums, which were some of the best classic Prog albums of all times and an essential piece of music history. This album collects a series of previously unreleased recordings made around the time the live album was released, dating several years back before the album´s release date. Considering the fact that this material comes from the best period of the group, this album is particularly strong. It is a must for all Focus fans!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | THIJS VAN LEER ~ INTROSPECTION / INTROSPECTION 2
BGO 589 (Barcode: 5017261205896) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1972 - 1975 Released: 2003
1st and 2nd albums by Thijs van LeerFind albums by this artist, the founder and leader of the legendary Dutch band FocusFind albums by this artist. Both album feature van Leer`s amazing flute talents, but as opposed to his work with Focus, they are both arranged for large orchestra and include, in addition to his own compositions, many classical works, mainly by Bach. The performances are brilliant of course and the serene and relaxed atmosphere is typical of European approach to music. A classic (pun intended)!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | THIJS VAN LEER ~ INTROSPECTION 3
BGO 0981 (Barcode: 5017261209818) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1977 Released: 2011
This is the 3rd album by Thijs van LeerFind albums by this artist, the founder and leader of the legendary Dutch band FocusFind albums by this artist. It features van Leer`s amazing flute talents, but as opposed to his work with Focus, the music is arranged for large orchestra (by the great Rogier van OtterloFind albums by this artist) and includes, in addition to his own compositions, many classical works. The performances are brilliant of course and the serene and relaxed atmosphere is typical of European approach to music. A classic (pun intended)!
| | Updated: 28/07/2023Posted: | CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | THIJS VAN LEER ~ INTROSPECTION 4
BGO 0985 (Barcode: 5017261209856) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1978 Released: 2011
This is the 4th and last in the series album by Thijs van LeerFind albums by this artist, the founder and leader of the legendary Dutch band FocusFind albums by this artist. It features Van Leer`s amazing flute talents, but as opposed to his work with Focus, the music is arranged for large orchestra (by the great Rogier van OtterloFind albums by this artist) and includes, in addition to his own compositions, many classical works. The performances are brilliant of course and the serene and relaxed atmosphere is typical of European approach to music. A classic (pun intended)!
| | Updated: 28/07/2023Posted: | CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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