Perhaps, this release is a tad too late to the party, yet in times like ours there’s no reason to complain that Dutch premier proggers FOCUS were formed in 1969 but they celebrate the band’s half-century anniversary in 2020. No reason – because getting a reasonably priced box set – titled “50 Years Anthology 1970-1976” – comprising nine CDs and two DVDs feels really special. On the CDs are the ensembles first five albums, newly remastered and augmented with bonus tracks of which many haven’t seen the light of day before, and “At The Rainbow” concert document and previously unissued live recordings, plus the “Ship Of Memories” compilation of rarities – although 1977’s “Focus Con Proby” was left off to remain the only LP from the group’s first lifespan that won’t be included here (one would suspect the decision had something to do with guitarist Jan Akkerman and drummer Pierre van der Linden absent from the Thijs Van Leer-led line-up). Still, the plethora of visual delights on DVDs must compensate for the omission.

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