In 1982, prog veterans from Yes, ELP, and King Crimson formed a supergroup. Asia’s debut album was a monster, selling over 10 million copies worldwide and dominating MTV with ‘Heat of the Moment’. For a brief moment, Asia (also pictured top) were the biggest band in the world.
But prog supergroups don’t age well. Critics derided them as corporate rock, fans drifted away, and by the mid-’80s they were a punchline. Today, Asia are remembered mostly for that one gleaming, era-defining single.
After recording “Number The Brave” with Wishbone Ash, John Wetton elected to move on and help form the supergroup, Asia. He brought to the fold Steve Howe (Yes), Carl Palmer (ELP), and Geoff Downes (The Buggles/Yes) and released their first album, the eponymous Asia. The debut album generated a big radio hit with “Heat Of The Moment”. For three albums, the band was high on the charts until departures watered down the essence. Nevertheless, the promise of the band was pushed forward with new members that included John Payne, who along with Geoff Downes, kept Asia going with six more albums. Eventually, the original crew reformed and delivered three more albums through 2012. The final Asia album, Gravitas (2014), was without Steve Howe.
Alongside “Phoenix” (2008), “Omega” (2010) and “XXX” (2012) the set also contains the double live set “Fantasia, Live In Tokyo“, which was released in 2007. Singer and bass player John Wetton, who sadly died in 2017, said at the time the band reunited, “Each one of us is comfortable as a human being, and the sound reflects the collective maturity of these four people who are not only eager to explore but also relaxed enough to luxuriate in the strength of the material.”
“The chemistry and energy that comes out when the four of us are working together, is reflected in the new material,” drummer Carl Palmer says.
On June 11th, BMG Records will release a 5CD clamshell-styled Box named “The Reunion Albums 2007-2012“. In it will feature three albums with the classic line-up as well as the 2007 2CD live set, “Fantasia – Live In Tokyo” recorded during their 2007 World Tour on March 8th, 2007. In this album are songs played from each of the members’ previous bands. The four albums all contain original Roger Dean artwork although the Fantasia cover has been updated.
The box cover art was pulled from a previously unused Dean art piece.
The Fat Angel Sings 