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“Hocus Pocus” is a 1971 instrumental from Focus II (aka Moving Waves), the second album by Dutch rock group Focus. It was written by guitarist Jan Akkerman and flautist/keyboardist Thijs van Leer. It was also released as a single with “Janis” as a B-side for the UK and “Hocus Pocus II” for the US. It takes the form of a rondo, consisting of alternation between a powerful rock chord riff and varied solo “verses” (in the original all performed by Thijs van Leer) which include yodeling, organ playing, accordion, gibberish lyrics, flute riffs and whistling. Focus recorded a special, faster radio version, which became a hit. When performing live, the group would play the tune even faster. “Hocus Pocus” reached #20 in the UK and #9 in the US during the spring of 1973, and... Read on...