Asia broke in to loud thunder with the release of their supergroup-fueled self-titled debut that generated “Heat Of The Moment” (offered to Wishbone Ash when Wetton was a member of that band for their Number The Brave album. It was rejected). The other song, “Only Time Will Tell” helped to lead the band to the upper reaches of the Billboard charts back in 1982.
Asia consisted of John Wetton, a King Crimson alumnus, Steve Howe (YES), Carl Palmer (ELP), and Geoff Downes (Buggles/YES). And over the next album (Alpha – 1983), remained intact. For Astra, the band’s 1985 album, Steve Howe had left, replaced by Mandy Meyer. Over the years, Asia would be joined and rejoined by members of the classic lineup, and other musicians to replace their departures. In 2008, the Mark I lineup would rejoin for the appropriately titled Phoenix album. For the two following albums (Omega – 2010, XXX – 2012), Howe, Downes (who manned the helm throughout), Palmer, and Wetton remained.
Asia will release their new album, Gravitas, on March 25. However, once again, they will be whisked back to the happenstance of the band’s third album, as Steve Howe officially retired from the band, thus concentrating his efforts on YES. Gravitas will introduce Sam Coulson on guitars.
Gravitas will be released on both CD, and a CD/DVD Deluxe Edition via Frontiers Records. The DVD will include a ‘Making Of’ documentary as well as two videos (“Valkyrie” – Video, “Heat Of The Moment” – Live). The Cd will tag on two bonus tracks with acoustic versions of the album’s “The Closer I Get To You”, and “Joe Di Maggio’s Glove”.
I’ve got almost every cd Asia has released. If there is one thing I have learned it is that I miss Steve Howe when he isn’t part of the band. If I pick this up it will either be because I read a great review or, more likely, to be a completest since I have all their others.
BTW, Asia always has great album covers.