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I have to admit to liking this 'New Focus' better than the old seventies version. Hocus Pocus was very nice but stuff like Hamburger Concerto and the longer jazz improvisations was not my cup of char. Of course there is no longer the mighty Jan Akkerman and many cite that as a reason for not giving the modern line up a try. Shame really as the last two albums proved what a tight and focused (oh dear) band they are but not lacking any creativity allbeit there are no long complex tracks to get your teeth into.

Unsurprisingly this has ten tracks. The first track Father Bacchus is an up tempo start with Van Der Linden showing lots of energy. Focus 10 is another variation on the theme they used right from their early beginnings. Pleasant enough. Victoria starts soft piano and guitar reminescent of the track Brother but also the ELP track Our Father.The amusingly entitled Amok In Kindergarten is very jazzy and pleasant. All Hens On Deck picks up the pace and its needed really. Birds Come Fly Over is more jazzy stuff with lovely flute.Hoeratio is a slower atmospheric peice. My favourite track on the album is Talk Of The Clown. Oldsy folsky and displaying a personality of its own.Message Magique is another pleasant but slightly unintersting track . The last track Crossroads is my second favourite track. Very nifty stuff that leaves us wanting more. In fact it should and could have been longer and not sure why it had to be curtailed.

Overall I would say a very pleasant listen but no advance on Focus 8 and Focus 9 which I prefer and rated 4 stars apeice.