Album review: SWUNG – Vol.1 & 2 (feat. members of FOCUS)

Swung - Vol.1 & 2

In And Out Of Focus Records [Release date 03.11.14]

‘Swung’ was evidently conceived and recorded during downtime from the “day job” – for Bobby Jacobs and Pierre van der Linden this means the current incarnation of Focus. Although that band is on the road regularly, new material comes along slowly and the latest release (‘Golden Oldies’) was actually a re-recording of former glories.

Enter ‘Swung’ which brings together former (post-2000) Focus guitarist Niels van der Steenhoven and the current incumbent Menno Gootjes. Outside of the constraints of Focus, and the inevitable shadow of Akkerman, both players can let rip can’t they?

Volume 1 is the sort of improvisational long-form piece that Akkerman might have attempted around the time of ‘Profile’. The band explore jazzy territory and there are few memorable tunes or riffs and no overdubbing.

Adventure 5 and 7 have an infectious groove and are standouts. A whole side of this would have put them alongside an album like Rock Candy Funk Party which featured Joe Bonamassa. Focus fans will recognise the vibe throughout from the track ‘Niels Skin’ on Focus 9/New Skin (2006).

On Volume 2, with Menno Gootjes, a similar journey is taken. From the violin-toning of ‘Raga Reference 1′ through to – yes you’ve got it – ‘Raga Reverence 8′ this disc benefits from guitar overdubs although still jazzy and improvised. Throughout, Pierre van der Linden is a colossus on drums and the free-form nature suits him well.

Overall, think of a less inhibited Eric Johnson: it doesn’t really sound like Focus though. It’s a case of “set the controls for the heart of the Swung … and see where it takes us.”

Producer and bassist Bobby Jacobs describes the project as giving an outlet for their noodling at soundchecks. For Focus obsessives this is probably good enough reason to purchase, although the addition of keyboards (and flute?) would have added some balance if probably missing the point. Nicely recorded, though. ***

Review by David Randall

David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)