Moving Waves - FOCUS*****

Hocus Pocus/Le Clochard/Janis/Moving Waves/Focus II/Eruption

Moving Waves was the acclaimed follow up album from the Dutch progressive group Focus. It was their international commercial breakthrough and includes the US and UK top 20 hit Hocus Pocus. Originally released as Focus 2 in Holland . (US:8 UK:2)

“This musical masterpiece is one of the most progressive albums made during that era, indeed Jan Akkerman's incisive and razor electric guitars are omnipresent: pure hard rock solos and barely less timid aggressive riffs. The drums are restless, very complex and fast. The keyboards mostly consist of organ, mellotron, piano and harmonium. The intensely yodelling of Thijs Van Leer on Hocus Pocus is legendary.”

“This is an absolutely stunning album, one of my all-time favourites. Stylistically, the music is in the main retrospective and pastoral with obvious references to jazz and to Bach - all seamlessly realised. Eruption is the tour de force, but the shorter tracks are all strong and enjoyable. There isn't a single weak moment and every element can be considered perfect - outstanding in every way.”

“This album was so well composed and executed that it has easily stood the test of time. It is excellent through and through; clever, exciting, beautiful and moving. These Dutch guys really knew what they were doing and they could certainly play. They were essentially an instrumental outfit with the melody carried by guitar, flute, keyboards and occasionally vocals. Focus didn't appear too swayed by music fashions or commercial pressures, which is why Moving Waves still sounds fresh and exciting today.”

“Moving Waves is a classic from Dutch progressive rock giants Focus. It's their magnum opus, the most focused of their entire career. The album's strengths rest in the muscular and frenetic guitar work of Jan Akkerman and the soaring vocals, superb keyboards and thrilling flute work of Thijs Van Leer.”

“This is a beautiful progressive rock album from Holland's premier band. Most of it is instrumental. Hocus Pocus is a stunning rock song featuring incendiary guitar from Jan Akkerman, some of the best I've ever heard. The rest are quite classically influenced, and much of it is almost ambient or new age.”

“Overall, gentle, sensitive progressive rock with many very sweet spots and a cohesive sound majoring in synthesisers, flute and crystalline electric guitar.”