In 1972, Focus was experiencing planetary success with the single "Hocus Pocus" and the accompanying LP Moving Waves. With this kind of momentum, guitarist and leader
Jan Akkerman decided it was time for a parallel solo career. Profile is not disconnected from his work with
Focus, but was at the time a good medium to show the extent of his talent. The two main musicians on this record apart
Akkerman himself are
Focus alumni
Pierre van der Linden (drums) and
Bert Ruiter (bass). The first half contains "Fresh Air," a 20-minute epic in seven parts. This is a
jazz-rock track like
Focus rarely recorded (except maybe the In and Out of Focus version of "Anonymous").
Akkerman is smoking on the electric guitar and the whole thing sounds a lot like early
Mahavishnu Orchestra: There is a strong sense of urgency to it coupled with the feeling that these guys were having a wonderful time. The second half is more eclectic in styles and in results. Here,
Akkerman indulges in his interest for medieval and
classical music. A rendition of "Kemps Jig" (a medieval tune that was also part of
Gryphon's repertoire) and an Etude by Carcassi are both played on the lute, and
Diabelli's Andante Sostenuto is performed on Spanish guitar. A rather poor
blues number and two
Focus-inspired tracks complete the set. More technical, the album's second half is a showcase for
Akkerman's guitar chops, but it is really "Fresh Air" that best exemplifies his talent both as a composer and a performer and puts this album a cut above other prog guitarists' solo projects, namely
Steve Howe's first two records. ~ François Couture, All Music Guide
