THE Dutch progressive rockers Focus return to The Wharf on Friday, October 6.

This coincides with the announcement of the release of their new two CD collection The Focus  Album which has been prepared over the last 12 months.

The 20-track set gives fans a new insight into the band and includes 15 unreleased original songs, alternate versions from the Focus X sessions, solo tracks from each of the current members and tracks from the beginning of the Focus 11 sessions.

Many of the tracks have been recorded in a variety of countries in Europe and South America and are exclusively available on this collection.

The set will include all of the rarities from the Focus X era and from Focus 11.

With their unique brand of progressive rock, Focus manifested themselves at the start of the 1970s as the most successful and appreciated of all the Dutch pop-rock exports.

Fronted by founding member Thijs Van Leer, the iconic Dutch masters are best known for their hits Hocus Pocus, House of The King and Sylvia, as well as critically acclaimed albums Moving Waves, Focus 3 and Hamburger Concerto.

After a comeback in the early 2000s, which resulted in the well-received albums Focus 8 and Focus 9, the band re-grouped with a fantastic new line-up.

Along with Thijs van Leer on vocals, flute and keyboards, famed Focus drummer Pierre van der Linden, who joined the group on their second album Moving Waves in 1972, will be playing during the band’s set at The Wharf.

Internationally renowned for his rhythmic skills, Pierre remains a defining factor in the Focus sound.

The set at The Wharf will see the introduction of the band’s new bass player Udo Pannekeet, who takes over the position from long term bass player Bobby Jacobs.

Recently, Focus’s biggest hit Hocus Pocus was used in a four-minute Nike commercial before the World Cup broadcast.

Focus music can be regularly heard on Top Gear and Saxondale on TV in the UK.