Beat's Aqua Bassino

Asia hadn't released an album of new music since 1985, so changes were to be expected. But changes for the better – well, that was a pleasant surprise. Aqua found the band infused with new energy, represented by a younger generation of arena rockers in bassist/vocalist John Payne and guitarist Al Pitrelli. Although Payne doesn't invite comparison to John Wetton or Greg Lake (his voice tends to get rougher as it gets louder), he gets the job done and turns out to be a pretty good songwriter in the bargain…

Danish/Norwegian Eurodance-pop group. Formed in 1994 in Denmark. Best-known for their 1997 breakthrough single "Barbie Girl". They achieved huge success across the globe in the late 1990's and early 2000's, and holds the record as the best selling Danish band with around 33 million records sold…

Asia hadn't released an album of new music since 1985, so changes were to be expected. But changes for the better – well, that was a pleasant surprise. Aqua found the band infused with new energy, represented by a younger generation of arena rockers in bassist/vocalist John Payne and guitarist Al Pitrelli. Although Payne doesn't invite comparison to John Wetton or Greg Lake (his voice tends to get rougher as it gets louder), he gets the job done and turns out to be a pretty good songwriter in the bargain. Pitrelli, who had recently worked with Alice Cooper, knows his rock guitar; he's no replacement for Steve Howe, but he doesn't have to be – Howe makes guest appearances throughout the disc. Aqua is an amalgam of arena rock and hair metal that avoids sounding sappy or self-pitying, two adjectives that would describe Alpha or Astra.

Edgar Wilmar Froese is a German artist and electronic music pioneer, best known for founding the electronic music group Tangerine Dream. Aqua is his first solo album, predates Tangerine Dream's breakthrough album, 1974's Phaedra. Recorded using revolutionary binaural sound techniques, Aqua sweetens Froese's uncompromising experimentation with the crowd-pleasing sleight of "head music." Over four extended passages, electronics burble, shimmer, surge, swoop and speaker-pan in hazily melodic and nebulous shapes. Aqua is the consummate headphone album, a crafty, cosmic stereophonic delight guaranteed to captivate all open minds.

This album has been a fantastic adventure, inspired by the amazing visual images by cameraman David Hannan and the magical underwater world of coral reefs.
Aqua Zone is Tony O'Connor's musical score and DVD celebrating our undersea life. Aqua Zone sets a wonderful atmosphere, featuring orchestral pieces, gentle moody harp, acoustic guitar and world of magical sounds.
This CD is the soundtrack from the DVD of the same title.