Soft Ffog: Focus

Is It Jazz? Records, a division of the Karisma Records label is batting a thousand in my book! Just recently I’ve had the pleasure of discovering Krokofant, then The Verge, and now we have the Norwegian jazz/prog quartet Soft Ffog. Focus is the band's second release and its smoking! The opening track “Camel� blends everything that is special about this band, great guitar riffs and solos, classic keyboards that set the mood, and music full of dynamics and changes that keep the listener on their toes. Just three minutes in, and I’m in my glory, ripping guitar over that wonderful Rhodes keyboard and the band firing on all cylinders, this crosses into Fusion territory. The song morphs over its 9+ minutes, the blending of different influences works so well. Guitarist Tom “Zappa-Finger� Hasslan (also a member of Krokofant) composed all four tracks, and definitely shares the spotlight with the band, all members get to shine. If the opening track “Camel� doesn’t blow your mind, I’m not sure what will, it’s stunning.

The band's press release lists their influences as Camel and Focus sprinkled with old jazz dust, and I would say that’s accurate. I love how they keep a jazzy undercurrent, often found in the phrasing used while soloing. “Pocus� keeps up the energy with its intricacies, quick runs and high-energy drumming. I hear a little King Crimson in the mellotron section; I think others will catch that little nod. “Focus� is very melodic, a variety of keyboard and synth sounds courtesy of Vegard Lien Bjerkan swirl through the track. I think I hear that auto-wah, and it adds a nice texture to the guitar solo here. What is interesting in this track is the keyboards and guitar have this easy vibe, yet the bass and drums are burning underneath, the song is more intense than you realize when you really listen. “Oh Jimi� closes the album, a rocking track with guitar and organ leading the way, and don’t sleep on that rhythm section, they elevate this music with their intensity. The track gets groovy as the guitar and keyboards let loose; I wish this track went on another 10 minutes. I love the entire vibe, the band veers off the path a bit, I love that they are not predictable, interesting changes and a little bit of space dust gets sprinkled around.

I love this band, Soft Ffog’s Focus is without a doubt going to be in my top albums for 2025, these guys are amazing, check them out!

Track List:
1. Camel
2. Pocus
3. Focus
4. Oh Jimi

Added: March 31st 2025
Reviewer: Eric Porter
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 100
Language: english

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