Spirit of Unicorn Music are pleased to announce the forthcoming release of FOCUS 12, the brand new studio album from Focus.
Founded by Thijs van Leer, Focus have been at the forefront of the progressive music movement since 1969, yet they still continue to deliver engaging, innovative and skillfully crafted music. Focus 12 exemplifies this and proves why they are still a firm fan favourite, the world over.
For Thijs van Leer (75) and Pierre van der Linden (78), age is nothing more than a number. Both continue to contribute to Focus with a passion. Thijs, who has written the majority of the new album, rises at 4.30am every day in order to work on his compositions. Whilst the album boasts some of Pierre’s greatest and most energetic drum sequences to date.
Allowing the younger guard to take the audio reins for the first time, Focus 12 is produced by band members Udo Pannekeet and Menno Gootjes, who also contribute two compositions on the album.
Thijs commented “How beautiful life can be when a band plays so easily and so together.”
Focus 12 was recorded at the world-renowned Wisseloord Studios, in the band’s native country, of the Netherlands. A first for Focus, the album features a completely improvised piece which was captured as it spontaneously took place in the studio, during the recording process. Thus proving that more than 50 years on, the band are still excited by undertaking something new and different.
Van Leer continues “Thanks Pierre, Udo and Menno for so much musical passion!”
The band continue their long association with legendary artist Roger Dean whose stunning artwork graces the front cover and packaging. The vinyl version features a stunning gatefold sleeve.
Focus continue to be one of the hardest working rock bands on the planet, regularly touring the globe playing live. This July, they undertake a string of live dates across the USA and Canada, as part of Asia’s Heat Of The Moment Tour.
Thijs van Leer concludes “After all these years, Focus is in the here and now; the triumph of survival!
Focus 12 will be available on CD, Vinyl and on all good streaming services and can be pre-ordered here: https://burningshed.com/store/focus
Track Listing
1. Fjord Focus
2. Focus 13
3. Béla
4. Meta Indefinita
5. All Aboard
6. Born To Be You
7. Nura
8. Bowie
9. Positano
10. Gaia
Focus are:
Thijs van Leer : Flute, Organ, Piano, Synths
Menno Gootjes : Guitars, Piano, Synths
Pierre van der Linden : Drums
Udo Pannekeet : Bass, Synths, Programming
Produced by Menno Gootjes and Udo Pannekeet
Recorded by Danny Sykes, Udo Pannekeet and Geert Scheijgrond at Wisseloord Studios and Wedgeview Studios, Netherlands
Mixed by Udo Pannekeet
Mastered by Sander van der Heide
Heat Of The Moment 2024 Tour Dates:
Wednesday, 3rd July : Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield
Thursday, 4th July : Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls
Saturday, 6th July : Chevalier Theatre, Medford
Sunday, 7th July : The Paramount, Huntingdon
Tuesday, 9th July : Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood
Wednesday, 10th July : Count Basie Center, Red Bank
Friday, 12th July : Tropicana Showroom, Atlantic City
Saturday, 13th July : Wind Creek Event Center, Bethlehem
Sunday, 14th July : American Music Theatre, Lancaster
Tuesday, 16th July : Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, Spartanburg
Wednesday, 17th July : Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
Thursday, 18th July : Columbia County Performing Arts Center, Evans
Saturday, 20th July : Hard Rock Live, Orlando
Sunday, 21st July : Pompano Beach Amphitheater, Pompano Beach
Monday, 22nd July : Seminole Hard Rock, Tampa
Wednesday, 24th July : North Charleston PAC, North Charleston
Thursday, 25th July : Macon City Auditorium, Macon
Friday, 26th July : Saeger Theatre, Mobile
Sunday, 28th July : VBC Mark Smith Concert Hall, Huntsville
Tuesday, 30th July : The Armada Theatre, St Charles
Wednesday, 31st July : The Pabst Theater, Milwaukee