Asia are band with a convoluted history, at times akin to a soap  opera and  the comings and goings, line up changes, fallings out et al would make a good book. In fact so much so that Dave Gallant, who supplies liner notes on this release alongside Jeremy Holiday, has written a book on the subject. Timed to coincide with the upcoming UK tour of the reformed, original Asia line up , the 'Definitive Collection' draws exclusively from the John Wetton led era of the band.  

The original Asia (Wetton, Downes, Palmer and Howe) only managed to record two albums and get through a single tour before they split in somewhat of a  strange fashion, Wetton left and was replaced by Palmer’s former ELP band mate Greg Lake for a tour of Japan but when this didn't work out Wetton returned, only for Howe to leave an be replaced by Mandy Meyer. However before all that took place the band had recorded one of the best debut albums of all time, and the biggest selling album of 1982, in the shape of the self titled Asia opus. Indeed the first five tracks on the 'Definitive Collection' are taken form this very album. Opener 'Heat Of The Moment' is probably the song that will forever define Asia, a bona fide classic and a song most readers will probably have in one form or another, however Asia were by no means a one trick pony. 'Only Time Will Tell', 'Sole Survivor' and  'Wildest Dreams' are all equally as good and still to this day form the basis of both the latter day Asia live shows, John Wetton’s solo gigs and the more recent Icon concerts. That just goes to show how important that first Asia album was.   

The following four tracks are taken from the bands second album, 'Alpha' and have been long time personnel favourites, 'Don’t Cry' though has always been a much better live song than the studio interpretation would suggest, where perhaps the production leads to it seeming a little thin.  

Tracks 11-14 are taken from the bands third album, 'Astra' after which  the band called it day for the next five years and only reformed in 1990 for the 'Now and Then' album which, as the title implies, was a mixture of old and new songs, one of which, 'Days Like These' finds it's way on this collection. One of the better songs from the Now & Then album, 'Days Like These' is somewhat of a rarity given that it was not written by at least one of the bands members, but it does feature the guitar skills of one Steve Lukather. The last track features is definitely the one for the completists out  there. A twelve inch remix of the track 'Go' taken from Astra, and only ever available as a single previously. 

Given its very nature this album is probably only of interest to people who don't own the first three Asia albums, or for those who must have everything bearing the Asia monicker. There is little new to offer, other than the rare remix of Go, but for anyone new to the prog scene this is a damn fine place to start for one of the best exponents of the genre through the years.

Let us know your views on 'Definitive Collection'

Track List

Heat Of The Moment
Only Time Will Tell
Sole Survivor
Wildest Dreams
Here Comes The Feeling
Don't Cry
The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
The Heat Goes On
Open Your Eyes
Daylight
Go
Voice Of America
Too Late
Wishing
Days Like These
Go - Remix

Line Up

John Wetton - Vocals/Bass
Carl Palmer - Drums
Steve Howe - Guitars
Geoffrey Downes - Keyboard