HAMBURGER CONCERTO

The peak album by Focus delivers a delicate mixture of classically influence progressive rock with updated sound, especially for keyboards (moog, ARP synthesizer). Playing is very tasty, advanced and refined. Singing is fine and joddling is well repeated on the long title track but in a more dramatic scenario.

Light aperitif is served with flute and acoustic guitar, balsam for the ear. More typical Focus territory with rocking rhythm, not so good singing but delicious accordion and jamming guitar/keyboard follows in the second track. "La Cathedrale De Strasbourg" is more elegant, laid-back, rhythm sounding like bells. The introduction has great symphonic chords and church organ - a powerful and strong symphonic moment with poetism in the air. Sweet and melting music.

"Birth" is a very good example how guitar player and keyboard player can complement themselves with various colours, instruments and motives. Flute is an added dessert.

The magnificient "Hamburger Concerto" can, despite being based on Haydn's piece, one of the best pieces of classical music in progressive rock based on the these criteria: arrangements, taste in playing, expressiveness and composition. Classicism can sound as light as flute with harpsichord but also have guitar riff and organ to demonstrate power. Music is flowing effortlessly, motives keep changing and the nuances like quiet guitar decorations or decent Hammond soloing make you wonder. Flute playing and high- pitched vocal improve the impression even higher. Sweet guitar soloing is light but suits the 20-minute epics. After the mass-like singing by Leers in Dutch follows the emotional peak with mellotron, organ, piano - absolutely stunning moment with a memorable guitar solo first and then equally monumental ARP solo, a bit untypical of Focus. These 2-3 minutes almost always bring tears in my eyes for the sheer beauty and feeling of darkness. If you want to see the complexity of various layers of instruments, look for the video of international collaboration that re-recorded the epic song with slightly changed sound.

This is a must-have album and together with Finch first two albums and Supersister first two albums, a unique Dutch contribution to the upper echelon of progressive rock.