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What a wonderful story: FOCUS is reuniting against all odds, at the beginning of the Third Millenary ! We haven’t heard of this Dutch band since the end of the Seventies and the departure of its famous guitarist Jan AKKERMAN. The only thing we can add is the reunion of the latter and the incredible flautist-keyboardist Thijs Van LEER in 1985. Since, the numerous fans of this international legend of Seventies Progressive Rock could hear nothing else than a deep silence… At the beginning of the year 2002, three young musicians decide to pay tribute to their idol in creating HOCUS POCUS. Such an evocative name ! After having learned their repertoire made of cover versions, drummer Ruben Van ROON (Later replaced by Bert SMAAK), guitarist Jan DUMEE and bassist Bobby JACOBS were courageous enough to invite Thijs Van LEER to a jam session. This one came without any preconceived ideas to spend a good time with some friends, and wasn’t prepared for such a devoted attitude towards the original group’s spirit. He didn’t expect a level of quality this high, either ! The whole was so good that he jumped on the occasion of reforming FOCUS with fresh blood ! And that’s exactly what "8" (2002) is about: the opening title "Rock And Rio" brings us thirty years back with "Moving Waves", and its international crazy hit "Hocus Pocus". A versatile Hammond Organ, hard-blues guitar riffs, a voluntary basic rhythm section, a good sense of humour… Without forgetting the famous yodels displayed by the Master of Ceremony ! The rest of the album is pretty much of the same vein, for our great pleasure. No doubt about it, we’ll have to count on FOCUS in the future !… Let's just remind you that the group was founded by Jan AKKERMAN (BRAINBOX) and Thijs Van LEER in 1970, with the future TRACE drummer Pierre Van Der LINDEN also participating duiring some time. This line-up was, with KAYAK and TRACE, the most famous in its own land as far as Progressive rock is concerned. "Focus Con Proby" was recorded in 1977 with Belgian guitarist Philipp CATHERINE and singer P.J. PROBY. FOCUS' complete discography is from now on available in a 20-bit remastered version as a Japanese import with cardboard covers. Some splendid collectors ! "Masters From The Vaults" is the definitive DVD for FOCUS fans ! Thijs Van LEER is your host and guide in a wonderful journey featuring rare material from 1971 with the band improvising, rehearsing and refining material for the album which would become "Moving Waves". Also included are extended extracts from the "Old Grey Whistle Tests" in 1972 and 1973 which helped break the Dutch band into Great-Britain. From 1974, there is a rare concert film of the "Hamburger Concerto" era. The short lived Philip CATHERINE line-up is also featured before we close with the band in action today during the triumphal come back tour of the United States of America in 2002. A beautifully filmed tour on the DVD appropriately called "Live In America". What else can we ask for ?!? 2002 was the year of the comeback of FOCUS, a true legend of Seventies Progressive rock. Publishing "8" on the Musea label created a huge sensation ! And if some thought this was nothing else than a one-shot, Thijs Van LEER and his young musicians did everything to prove them untrue.. In order to promote the album, they went on the road, their world tour noticeably including the United States and South-America. That’s precisely what "Live In Southamerica" (2002) is all about. That Sol E Deneb label release plays the greatest hits from FOCUS, like "Eruption", "Sylvia" and "Focus III". Of course, the hilarating "Hocus Pocus" is there as well ! That’s what one calls a winning return…
