Latest Release
- JUL 5, 2024
- 10 Songs
- The Best of Focus: Hocus Pocus · 1971
- Hocus Pocus - U.S. Version - Single · 1973
- Moving Waves (2020 Remastered Edition) · 1971
- The Best of Focus: Hocus Pocus · 1975
- Moving Waves · 1971
- Live At the Rainbow · 1973
- Moving Waves · 1971
- Moving Waves · 1971
- The Best of Focus: Hocus Pocus · 1975
- The Best of Focus: Hocus Pocus · 1970
Essential Albums
- The Dutch band Focus earned worldwide renown via their surprise hit "Hocus Pocus." The quirky, mostly instrumental tune shifts back and forth between guitar hero Jan Akkerman's hammering hard rock riffs and keyboardist Thijs van Leer's madcap whistling, yodeling, accordion playing, and more. But beyond the hit's offbeat appeal, Focus came into their own as one of the era's finest prog practitioners, mixing rock and European classical influences with a distinct jazz fusion flavor. Akkerman's axes and van Leer's keys and flute bring vivid life to everything from mellow, melodic tracks to the dazzling 22-minute instrumental prog epic "Eruption."
Singles & EPs
Live Albums
Appears On
About Focus
Dutch progressive rock band Focus formed in 1969 and released their debut album the following year, but it was their second album, 1971's MOVING WAVES, that made them famous. It contained the hit "Hocus Pocus," a mostly instrumental tune that alternated between heavy guitar riffs and jokey, yodeling-style wordless vocals that gave it novelty appeal. The original lineup remained together for a couple more albums, but by the mid-'70s, personnel changes and pursuit of a more commercial sound started a downward spiral that ended with Focus's breakup in 1978.
- FROM
- Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- FORMED
- 1969
- GENRE
- Rock