Focus here featured virtuoso guitarist Jan Akkerman for the last time, not to work with his long-term writing partner Thijs Van Leer for another ten years. Mother Focus also sees Focus' highly skilled bass player Bert Ruiter try his hand in songwriting. The outcome includes the one of the finest funk tracks on the album -- the hilarious "I Need a Bathroom."
The album begins with quite possibly the finest track on the album -- and maybe the most typical Focus -- the titular "Mother Focus." The funky theme underlying the number sets the mood for the rest of the LP with aplomb. Indeed, Mother Focus is far from the usual instrumental material. For this reason, Mother Focus may not appeal to the usual fans of the Dutch proggers.
by Ben Davies
Tracks
1. Mother Focus (Jan Akkerman, Bert Ruiter, Thijs Van Leer) - 3:04
2. I Need A Bathroom (Ruiter) - 3:03
3. Bennie Helder (Van Leer) - 3:31
4. Soft Vanilla (Ruiter) - 3:03
5. Hard Vanilla (Ruiter) - 2:34
6. Tropical Bird (Ruiter) - 2:42
7. Focus IV (Van Leer) - 3:56
8. Someone's Crying . . . What? (Akkerman) - 3:18
9. All Together . . . Oh, That! (Akkerman) - 3:41
10.No Hang Ups (Paul Stoppelman) - 2:55
11.My Sweetheart (Akkerman, Van Leer) - 3:36
12.Father Bach (Van Leer) - 1:34
Focus
*Thijs Van Leer - Keyboards, Flute
*Jan Akkerman - Guitar
*Bert Ruiter - Bass Guitar, Vocals On "I Need A Bathroom"
*David Kemper - Drums
*Colin Allen - Drums On "I Need A Bathroom"
1970 Focus - In And Out Of Focus (Japan remaster)
1971 Focus - Moving Waves (Japan remaster)
1972 Focus III (Japan mini lp release)
1974 Focus - Hamburger Concerto (Japan remaster)
Related Act
1969-70 Brainbox - Brainbox (2011 Esoteric expanded)
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