From many great Prog bands from the early years, a great guitarist emerged. YES has Steve Howe; King Crimson has Robert Fripp; Genesis had Steve Hackett; and Focus had Jan Akkerman. While many fans can properly swear that Akkerman is underrated (and he is), we are lucky to not only have his time in Focus, but to have a number of solo albums as well. It was here that he supplied a great many. His last studio album was 2011’s excellent Minor Details.

On October 25, Music Theories Recordings will release the next Jan Akkerman set, Close Beauty. The new album will contain twelve new songs, with one of them already available to listen to (“Tommy’s Anniversary”, hear below). On the new single, Akkerman does not disappoint!

Close Beauty is planned for CD, DD, and limited edition Transparent Gold vinyl 2LP.

Close BeautyJan Akkerman

01 Spiritual Privacy (Sunset Tango)
02 Beyond The Horizon
03 Reunion
04 Close Beauty
05 Retrospection (Emotional Debris – The Power Behind The Throne – Hear The Trees Whistle Doe The Dog – Euridice)
06 Passagaglia
07 Tommy’s Anniversary
08 Don Giovanni
09 Meanwhile In St. Tropez
10 French Pride
11 Fromage
12 Good Body Early Evening

By MARowe