August 16, 2016 Playlist

"In & Out Of Focus" (aka "Focus Plays Focus" by Focus (1970)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Focus "Focus Plays Focus" aka "In and Out of Focus"  1970 (Netherlands)
Happie Hippy Xmas 2016! As I have explained before, I like to do an "obscure crappy $1 used vinyl" type show around August 15th to celebrate a local recycling tradition. I was digging through my record shelves recently and discovered that I own the complete "classic run" of albums by Focus (1970-75), the one-hit-wonder (in America) Dutch band famous for the prog-metal yodeling instrumental "Hocus Pocus." I am not especially a fan of this band, but over the years I keep finding their stuff in the dollar bin, and since I can't resist proggy bands from the 1970's who specialize in 10-20 minute long tracks, I kept buying them. Their debut is our classic album of the week, which is basically instrumentals that sound like Pink Floyd with heavier guitars (Jan Akkerman) and keyboards (leader Thijs Van Leer who also plays flute and yodels), while also being "jazzier" and more "classical music-y": call them eclectic virtuosos who "continentalized" the flash of the Anglo-American rock scene.
(N) = New Release
 
Artist Song Album Year Country
The Brass RingTheme from Rosemary's BabyOnly Love1968USA
Lalo SchifrinWheat Germ LandscapeThere's A Whole Lalo Schifrin Goin' On1968USA
SweetwaterI'm In A RainbowSweetwater1968USA
The Monkees Our Own World
Good Times! (N)2016 (Rhino)USA/UK
The Love Dimension When Soul Love BeginsFreakquency Space Mind Continuum EP (N)2016 (Diamond Heart)USA
 
 
The Mystery Lights What Happens When You Turn The Devil Down
The Mystery Lights (N)2016 (Wick)USA
Deerhoof The Devil And His Anarchic Surrealist Retinue
The Magic (N)2016 (Polyvinyl)USA
Blood Ceremony The Devil's WidowLord Of Misrule (N)2016 (Rise Above)Canada
Betty Davis Politician (Cream)
The Columbia Years 1968-1969 (N)1968-1969 (2016 Light In The Attic)USA
   
 
Tal National Eyes Of The World (Grateful Dead)Day Of The Dead (N - various artists box set)2016 (4AD)Niger
Orchestra Baobab The Clementine Jam (Grateful Dead)Day Of The Dead (N - various artists box set)2016 (4AD)Senegal
Unknown Mortal Orchestra Shakedown Street (Grateful Dead)Day Of The Dead (N - various artists box set)2016 (4AD)USA
   
 
Focus Focus In And Out Of Focus
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK 		1970
 Netherlands
FocusAnonymousIn And Out Of Focus
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK 		1970
Netherlands
FocusHocus Pocus (live)Live At The Rainbow1973
Netherlands
   
 
Golden EarringWhy Me?To The Hilt1975
Netherlands
The RascalsIcy WaterPeaceful World1971
USA
Rare EarthCome With Your WomanWillie Remembers1972
USA
StyxYou Need LoveStyx II1973
USA
 
  
Brian Auger & The Trinity featuring Julie DriscollA Day In The Life (The Beatles)Genesis (compilation)rec. 1968
UK
SantanaAll The Love In The UniverseCaravanserei1972
USA/Mexico
Ozzy OsbourneThe Wizard (live - Black Sabbath)Speak Of The Devil1982
UK
Nina Hagen BandUnbeschreiblich (female symbol)Nina Hagen Band1978
Germany
 
  
Joni MitchellThe Dry Cleaner From Des Moines (live - Mitchell/Mingus)Shadows And Light1980
Canada
Blodwyn PigThe Modern AlchemistAhead Rings Out1969
UK
Pierre Moerlen's GongSoliExpresso II1978
France/UK
Curved AirHide And SeekAir Conditioning1970
UK
Adam Green Interested In Music
Aladdin (N)2016 (Totally Gross National Product)USA
 
  
Scott WalkerTrack SevenClimate Of Hunter1984
USA/UK
      
   
   
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