SHIP OF MEMORIES

One thing I really like about this album is the name of the album. In digital days, this album might be named as Previously Unreleased album or each individual track will be inserted as bonus tracks of remastered series of Focus. Rather the band opted to use "Ship of Memories" which contains previously unreleased songs from their previous albums. This is an instrumental album released by by Sire Records, with materials spanning from 1970, 1973, and 1975. The first four tracks were originally should appear on a follow-up album to Focus III in 1973, but there were disagreements among members of the band about the quality of the material, and finally it was not released as an album. That's why you will find that the musicianship and performance of the band are quite good for all four songs here.

You can find that with the opening track P's March, there is a sense of style similar to the band's debut album In and Out of Focus. There are lots of combined electric guitar work, distinctive style of Akermann and dynamic drumming slated with keyboard / organ work throughout the album. It's typical Focus sounds of the early seventies. But if you meticulously observe each individual track you will find why they were not included in the album. It's not bad at all but it's not measuring up with those of Focus III or "Moving Waves" or "Hamburger Concerto".

Overall, this is a good album especially for those who enjoy instrumental work from Focus.

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW