Looking at the music of Dutch rock band Focus, started in the late sixties by Thijs van Leer (b /31/03/48) with Jan Akkerman (b 24/12/46). Van Leer still performs and records under the name today (official site here). Akkerman's site here.

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20090119

Track by track 79 KIng Kong

Archive number: 79
Title: King Kong
Main Album: Focus (1985)
Track number: 2
Genre: Progressive Rock Instrumental
Studio: Studio Spitsbergen, Zuidbroek, Groningen, The Netherlands (mixed at Dureco Studios, Weesp, The Netherlands)
Length: 03' 47”
Composer: Jan Akkerman
Musicians: Jan Akkerman - Synthesiser Guitar, Acoustic guitar; Thijs van Leer – Synthesisers, Flute; Fairlight programmed by Ed Staring
Producer: Ruud Jacobs with Jan Akkerman, Thijs van Leer and Theo Balijon Engineer: Emile Elsen, Jan Akkerman and Theo Balijon
Label: Mercury (Phonogram)/Vertigo
Date of recording/release: Recorded 1985 Released LP/CD -1985 CD – 1989
Alternative version: Akkerman incorporates a version into a suite on Live at the Priory
Notes: In the House of the King tradition, this track begins briefly with harp-like synthesiser (guitar?), 00:00-00:05, before breaking into first a more soaring (00:06-00:38) then a more jazzy flute-led element, backed by synthesised and acoustic strummed guitar with percussive sounds (00:39-01:45). When this breaks down we are back with the more soaring (01:46-02:18) then more jazzy flute parts again (02:19-02:34). Next comes a guitar and (slapped-thigh-like) percussion section with guitar harmonics (02:35-02:49) and a brief drum fill (02:50). Finally we head back to the soaring flute lead (02:51-03:40) and end with the flute backed by bubbling synthesisers.
Note on King Kong (from Wikipedia)
King Kong is the name of a fictional giant gorilla from the fictional Skull Island, who has appeared in several works since 1933. These include the groundbreaking 1933 film, the filmremakes of 1976 (and then 2005) and numerous sequels. His role in the different narratives varies from source to source, ranging from mindless monster to tragic antihero. The rights to the character are currently held by Universal Studios, with limited rights held by the estate of Merian C Cooper (the originator of the character).

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