Artist: FocusProduced by Hubert Terheggen for RTM.
Recorded at Sound Technique Studios, London.
All compositions published world-wide by Radio-Tele Music.
"In and Out of Focus" was originally released
by Sire in 1970 (SES97027).
Recorded at Sound Technique Studios, London.
All compositions published world-wide by Radio-Tele Music.
"In and Out of Focus" was originally released
by Sire in 1970 (SES97027).
Slightly over three years ago, I saw a group perform in
Holland. Without a doubt they were the most original
band I had ever seen. Their music, a unique blend of
classical, jazz and rock was a refreshing change
from the hard driving rock, extremely popular in
England and the United States at that time. I
was equally, if not more so impressed with the
personalities, depth of musical knowledge, ability
and drive of the group's motivating forces, Jan
Akkerman, guitarist and Thijs van Leer, the
band's organist, flutist and vocalist.
The group was FOCUS and had been formed in mid
1969 as a trio by Thijs van Leer with bass guitarist
Martin Dresden and drummer Hans Cleuver. Guitarist
Jan Akkerman, then with Brainbox, one of the top
Dutch pop groups, joined to make it
a quartet in November, 1969.
After several months, two trips to Holland and some
heavy meetings with Hubert Terheggen, the head of the
FOCUS management team, FOCUS was signed to Sire
Records and shortly thereafter, this record "In and
Out of Focus" was released. The record received
the critical acclaim of both FM radio and record
reviewers, but strong sales never materialized.
That was three years ago and the group has under-
gone many changes. After a year of moderate success,
Jan Akkerman decided to rejoin drummer Pierre van der
Linden also ex-Brainbox. They formed a new bgand and
asked Thijs van Leer to come with them. Cyril Havermans
joined on bass guitar and they continued to call the
band FOCUS. Bert Ruiter replaced Cyril Havermans
in September, 1971.
In the past year, FOCUS has emerged as the first truly
progressive band from continental Europe to achieve
prominence in Great Britain and the United States.
Why they succeeded, where countless other groups
failed, was because of their totally original sound
both on record and in personal appearances. Their
music is far removed from the rock cliche we
have been used to for the past six years.
This is the key to their success.
Their more recent albums, "Moving Waves" and "Focus
3" and their three triumphant tours of Britain resulted
in FOCUS winning both the Melody Maker Brightest
Hope 1972 and New Musical Express "Best New Talent
of 1972" awards. FOCUS is fast being recognized as
super-stars here in the United States and American
audiences are anxiously awaiting the first FOCUS tour
scheduled for early spring of this year. This, their
first album is important because it traces the current
success of FOCUS, back to the inception and early
roots of the group and should not be overlooked. It
is for just this reason that we have repackaged
and made available again "In and Out of Focus."
SEYMOUR STEIN — January, 1973
Holland. Without a doubt they were the most original
band I had ever seen. Their music, a unique blend of
classical, jazz and rock was a refreshing change
from the hard driving rock, extremely popular in
England and the United States at that time. I
was equally, if not more so impressed with the
personalities, depth of musical knowledge, ability
and drive of the group's motivating forces, Jan
Akkerman, guitarist and Thijs van Leer, the
band's organist, flutist and vocalist.
The group was FOCUS and had been formed in mid
1969 as a trio by Thijs van Leer with bass guitarist
Martin Dresden and drummer Hans Cleuver. Guitarist
Jan Akkerman, then with Brainbox, one of the top
Dutch pop groups, joined to make it
a quartet in November, 1969.
After several months, two trips to Holland and some
heavy meetings with Hubert Terheggen, the head of the
FOCUS management team, FOCUS was signed to Sire
Records and shortly thereafter, this record "In and
Out of Focus" was released. The record received
the critical acclaim of both FM radio and record
reviewers, but strong sales never materialized.
That was three years ago and the group has under-
gone many changes. After a year of moderate success,
Jan Akkerman decided to rejoin drummer Pierre van der
Linden also ex-Brainbox. They formed a new bgand and
asked Thijs van Leer to come with them. Cyril Havermans
joined on bass guitar and they continued to call the
band FOCUS. Bert Ruiter replaced Cyril Havermans
in September, 1971.
In the past year, FOCUS has emerged as the first truly
progressive band from continental Europe to achieve
prominence in Great Britain and the United States.
Why they succeeded, where countless other groups
failed, was because of their totally original sound
both on record and in personal appearances. Their
music is far removed from the rock cliche we
have been used to for the past six years.
This is the key to their success.
Their more recent albums, "Moving Waves" and "Focus
3" and their three triumphant tours of Britain resulted
in FOCUS winning both the Melody Maker Brightest
Hope 1972 and New Musical Express "Best New Talent
of 1972" awards. FOCUS is fast being recognized as
super-stars here in the United States and American
audiences are anxiously awaiting the first FOCUS tour
scheduled for early spring of this year. This, their
first album is important because it traces the current
success of FOCUS, back to the inception and early
roots of the group and should not be overlooked. It
is for just this reason that we have repackaged
and made available again "In and Out of Focus."
SEYMOUR STEIN — January, 1973
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