The Best of Focus: Hocus Pocus

by Focus

Overview

Since the band has a seven-album strong catalog, each with many highlights, compiling a Focus best-of could never be an easy task. Fortunately, the people behind this release have done a super job. Although it includes none of the band's lengthy jams which made up the bulk parts of Focus III, Moving Waves, and Hamburger Concerto, Hocus Pocus is one of the best releases to highlight what Focus were all about. Featuring all of the hits and semi-hits the band were ever known for ("Sylvia," "Hocus Pocus," "House of the King"), as well as the fans favorites ("Focus [Instrumental]", "Harem Scarem," "Anonymous") this release highlights the musical ability and amazing songwriting talent that were part and parcel of Focus. There is, unfortunately, a little too much of the track listing hailing from the band's rather weak funk/rock album Mother Focus. There are also a few exclusions that could have added to the album's diversity, namely "Moving Waves," "Love Remembered," and "Round Goes the Gossip." Although the band's seminal album, Focus III, perhaps provides a more accurate picture of their overall makeup, Hocus Pocus will unquestionably gratify the purchaser. ~ Ben Davies

Product Details

Release Date:	05/08/2001
Label:	Import
UPC:	8712944661941
Rank:	22805

Tracks

1. Hocus Pocus
2. Anonymus
3. House of the King
4. Focus
5. Janis
6. Focus II
7. Tommy (Eruption)
8. Sylvia
9. Focus III
10. Harem Scarem
11. Mother Focus
12. Focus IV
13. Bennie Helder
14. Glider
15. Red Sky at Night
16. Hocus Pocus

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Focus   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Stan Vincent   Composer
Focus   Producer
Mike Vernon   Producer,Supervisor
Thijs van Leer   Composer
Hank Hunter   Composer
Jan Akkerman   Composer
Hubert Tereggen   Producer
Ian Gillespie   Pre-Mastering