Profile is a somewhat bizarre solo album from Akkerman, coming at a time when his band Focus was at its commercial peak. One side is mostly sleepy acoustic numbers, though well done and a certain respect should be appropriately afforded. 'Blue Boy' and 'Stick' point to the earlier blues based Talent For Sale, but are livelier and much more kinetic. 'Maybe Just a Dream' sounds like any one of the Focus 'x' instrumentals. And then there's the side long 'Fresh Air'. Which sounds like Brainbox playing 'Anonymous II' from Focus 3, and is quite the exhilarating psychedelic tour de force. Akkerman's guitar is superb here, and is perhaps his finest moment on record.
Ownership: LP: 1983 EMI. Acquired new at Virgin Records in Edinburgh, Scotland (1984)
At one point I had the 2 for 1 CD called A Talent's Profile which included Talent for Sale (1996 EMI). My notes for that album: As for the Talent for Sale album (1968), it's really just a straight up instrumental guitar blues rock work from Akkerman, with a bit of orchestration. Gives absolutely no indication whatsoever what he would later accomplish with Brainbox, and in particular Focus. Other than he's an accomplished guitarist... of course. Wish there was more to add here, but there really isn't.
8/26/84; 7/27/16
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