Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Profile
Company: Sire
Catalog: SAS 7407
Year: 1972
Country/State: Holland
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: --
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5627
Price: $20.00
With Focus making international commercial inroads with their single 'Hocus Pocus' it was only natural that the individual and members would benefit from the public's interest in the group. Lead guitarist Jan Akkerman was one of those who benefited from the publicity via the release of 1972's "Profile". Ironically, feeling the set wasn't representative of his current interests, Akkerman did not want the collection released.
In terms of chronology, most of the material for the album dated back to 1969 when Akkerman was still a member of Brainbox. Produced by Tom Griek and backed by an all-tar cast of Dutch musicians including future Focus members Pierre van der Linden and Bert Ruiter, the instrumental collection almost seemed like an attempt to highlight Akkerman's instrumental prowess to outfits looking for a new lead guitarist. The side long improvisational 'Fresh Air' found Akkerman displaying his versatility and guitar prowess over a twenty minute composition that included stabs at everything from straight ahead rock ('Must be My Land') to blues (the atmospheric 'Fresh Air - Blues Notes for Listening'), and jazz-rock fusion moves ('The Fight'). Technically it was a stunning performance showcasing Akkerman's diversity, though it probably didn't have a great deal of appeal to folks just looking for a memorable song. Side two went in a totally different direction featuring shorter, more focused numbers. Several tracks spotlighted Akkerman's interest in medieval and baoque-era music. Underscoring that interest 'Kemps Jig', 'Etude', and 'Minstrel / Farmers Dance' all featured Akkerman on lute (something he'd explore even further with his next LP) while 'Andante Sostenuto' showcased a beautiful performance on Spanish guitar. Again, it probably had limited appeal to your average rock fan, but was definitely different and worth a listen. Somewhat at odds with the rest of the material on side two, 'Stick' was a pedestrian blues-rocker. 'Blue Boy' offered up a nice slice of pop-rock showing Akkerman had been listening to at least some Stax, while 'Maybe Just a Dream' was a beautiful mid tempo ballad. With a vocal either of the latter two selections would have made for a dandy single. Not a great album, but still better than most debuts and guitar hounds should treasure it.
"Profile" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Fresh Air (instrumental) (Jan Akkerman) - 19:50
a.) Must be My Land
b.) Wrestling To Get Out
c.) Back Again
d.) The Fight
e.) Fresh Air - Blues Notes for Listening
f.) Water and Skies are Telling Me
g.) Happy Gabriel?
(side
2)
1.)
Kemps Jig
(instrumental) (anonymous) -
1:28
2.) Etude (instrumental) (Carcassi) - 1:30
3.) Blue Boy (instrumental) (Jan Akkerman) - 2:24
4.) Andante Sostenuto (instrumental) (Diabelli) - 4:05
5.) Maybe Just a Dream (instrumental) (Jan Akkerman) - 2:33
6.) Minstrel / Farmers Dance (instrumental) (Jan Akkerman) - 2:45
7.) Stick (instrumental) (Jan Akkerman) - 3:30
