Asia

Universal Masters Collection album for sale by Asia was released on the Universal Distribution label. This 17-track compilation neatly summarizes the poppy hard rock of 1980s supergroup Asia, a quartet of progressive rock warhorses simplifying and streamlining their sound on hits like "The Heat of the Moment" and "Only Time Will Tell." Universal Masters Collection buy CD music Quite a few prog rock veterans got the hint upon the dawn of the '80s – long and winding epics were out; streamlined and focused compositions were in.

This is a recording produced by the original line-up of the band, Asia, when they toured in support of the album XXX, released back in 2012.The venue for the recording was the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco and the date was the 7th November 2012…

This is a set for the dedicated – the fans who will indeed be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Asia's formation by seeking out the double-disc set, Anthologia: 20th Anniversary Geffen Years Collection 1982-90. This collection is no mere anthology; it is a complete recorded works, containing everything the band recorded for Geffen in the '80s, from full albums (Asia, Alpha, Astra), to B-sides and a handful of rarities…

Released in 1985, Astra is Asia's third studio album and first without guitarist Steve Howe. While somewhat unfairly regarded in comparison to Asia's first two albums, Astra is nonetheless a solid prog rock outing that finds bassist/vocalist John Wetton, keyboardist Geoff Downes, drummer Carl Palmer, and replacement guitarist, Krokus' Mandy Meyer, delivering a set of melodic and driving rock anthems…

A good cross section of Asia tracks from the bands' albums up to and including "Arena"…

Quite a few prog rock veterans got the hint upon the dawn of the '80s – long and winding epics were out; streamlined and focused compositions were in. And the first to reap the rewards of this stylistic shift was the prog supergroup Asia. Comprised of members of King Crimson (singer/bassist John Wetton), Yes (guitarist Steve Howe), ELP (Carl Palmer), and the Buggles (keyboardist Geoff Downes), Asia threw all the indulgences of their past bands out the window, and scored a few surprise pop hits during the early '80s. Although unable to sustain its success, the group did pen several tracks that were embraced by the then-burgeoning MTV, and the 2002 compilation Universal Masters Collection collects all the expected favorites.

After reuniting for 2008's Phoenix, the original four members of prog-pop supergroup Asia (bassist/vocalist John Wetton, keyboardist Geoff Downes, guitarist Steve Howe, and drummer Carl Palmer) stayed together for three more albums including 2012's XXX. However, after touring in support of that album, Howe amicably parted ways with the band to pursue other projects, and once again Asia were in search of a guitarist. Enter 27-year-old Sam Coulson, who replaces Howe for Asia's 2014 effort, Gravitas. A technical wizard on the guitar, Coulson has all the requisite abilities to fill Howe's role as resident flamethrower for Asia. Ironically, the aptly titled Gravitas is one of Asia's more reserved albums and Coulson, who acquits himself nicely throughout, isn't called upon to throw much fire for most of Gravitas' running time…

For those of us of a certain age, Asia’s “Heat Of The Moment” is one of those anthemic songs from the glory days of rock. Asia’s debut album was released in 1982, and now, 30 years on, we have ‘XXX’ which is Roman Numerals for 30, and that can’t just be coincidence.

Like the Phoenix of the title of their 2008 album, Asia has risen from the ashes and made their first studio album with their original lineup in a quarter century. The remarkable thing about Phoenix is that in pure sonic terms, it could have appeared as the sequel to Alpha in 1985 instead of the Steve Howe-less Astra, which is a remarkable achievement in many ways, but what makes the album more interesting is that it is suffused with a sense of mortality…