Record Reviews

JAN AKKERMAN / KAZ LUX ~ ELI WEA 242361 (Barcode: 022924236129) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1976 Released: 2000 4th album by the eclectic Dutch guitar genius Jan AkkermanFind albums by this artist recorded shortly after he left FocusFind albums by this artist in early 1976. For this album Akkerman teamed up with his old friends from BrainboxFind albums by this artist (his pre-Focus band) singer Kaz LuxFind albums by this artist (Kaz was the shorter and easier to pronounce version of his full Polish name Kazimierz) and drummer Pierre van der LindenFind albums by this artist (who was also a member of Focus). He also invited two prominent Dutch keyboards players Jasper van`t HofFind albums by this artist (from the Jazz circles) and Rick van der LindenFind albums by this artist (from the Prog circles, founder and leader of the Dutch Prog bands EkseptionFind albums by this artist and TraceFind albums by this artist – the Dutch answer to NiceFind albums by this artist and Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist – and not relater to Pierre). The result of these sessions produced a great Prog concept album based on a story by Lux. The stellar personnel and the superb vocal performance make it as strong as any parallel Prog concept album, but unfortunately it received very little attention at the time and remains mostly forgotten. For the followers of Akkerman’s work over the years this is quite a revelation and his exceptional work as a composer and guitarists are fully featured here. Essential for Akkerman and Focus fans.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

BRAINBOX ~ BRAINBOX ESOTERIC 2241 (Barcode: 5013929734128) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2011 1st album by Dutch Prog super group BrainboxFind albums by this artist, which consisted of guitarist Jan AkkermanFind albums by this artist, bassist Andre ReijnenFind albums by this artist, drummer Pierre van der LindenFind albums by this artist and was fronted by vocalist Kaz LuxFind albums by this artist (Kazimierz in fact, as he was of Polish origin). Anybody familiar with the late 1960s / 1970s Prog scene is of course familiar with these names, so no introductions are necessary. The material is truly inspired and the performances include great guitar parts (not surprising) and superb drumming. This is definitely a classic of the period and a must for ant Prog fan.

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

FOCUS ~ 11 IN AND OUT OF FOCUS 009 (Barcode: 5060105491306) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is an album by the legendary Dutch Progressive Rock group FocusFind albums by this artist, which comprises of flautist / keyboardist / composer Thijs van LeerFind albums by this artist, drummer Pierre van der LindenFind albums by this artist (both founding members since 1969), guitarist Menno GootjesFind albums by this artist and bassist Udo PannekeetFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, ten of which were composed by van Leer and one was composed by Pannekeet. Ten of the tracks are instrumentals and only one features vocals. The title is somewhat confusing, since this is in fact the 13th studio album by the group. The cover features a painting by the iconic Roger DeanFind albums by this artist. It seems that the time was frozen for Focus, as the music sounds as if it was conceived and recorded sometime half a Century ago, completely in sync with what Focus were recording then, for good and for worse. Since I was a great fan of their early albums, this is great fun and a wonderful trip down the sentimental memory lane, but on the other hand one has to admit that this music offers no innovation or even an attempt to bring things up to date. Prog flourished for about a decade and reached incredible peaks, but it’s been completely dead since. Overall, this is a great reminder of what Prog bands sounded like in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and Focus certainly were one of the very best ones, with the great flute parts and plenty of Rock improvisation. Thijs van Leer wrote tons of great tunes over the years, for which we are all grateful of course. This album does not manage to resuscitate or revitalize the genre obviously, but it is still a great listening experience for aging sentimental fools, like yours truly.

Updated: 22/07/2025Posted: 22/07/2025

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend