The Very Best of Asia

There's Europe, Africa and Egypt. Named after these two continents and one country, were bands Europe, Asia and Egypt (appropriately called Egypt 80, the backing band of Afro beat king Fela Kuti). Well, of these bands, Europe did their part and changed the world for a while. Egypt 80 were well-known for their revolutionary tone, which inspired struggles for freedom and independence across Africa.

As for Asia, it's sad that they will go down as one of those noisy bands, who named their band after a continent they did not originate from (unlike the group Europe who of course, came from Europe). Nigerian Fela Kuti's band had a legitimate claim to their name too (Egypt 80), as Egypt was a country within the borders of their continent, Africa.

We're better positioned to remember The Who's 1965 tune, "Can't Explain" than these songs that Asia have put together on an album they called "The Very Best of Asia". So out of place is their music (made between 1982 and 1990) that one wonders what on earth they were thinking...

So cruel has been time that very few people will have fond memories of Asia (Boston, for example, have been quickly forgotten, too). So cataclysmic is the rock music scene that batting an eye-lid would mean totally missing out. Which is just what happened to Asia. They failed to see that their sound would not bring in much in royalties after the party.

The album begins with their most famous track "Heat Of The Moment". As one hears the voice of John Wetton, one could not help wishing that history could have been kinder. Had he stuck to his duties as a sideman bassist for Uriah Heep and Roxy Music, his name would still get a mention or two in polite conversation today.

Like the New Romantics, most of whom we can hardly remember, it is rather sad to see that Asia have gone the same sorry way.

But Wetton’s voice is the shade of hope on an otherwise dark road. Listen to the way he sings "Only Time Will Tell", and you could not disagree that here was a truly gifted singer.

If you were not active at that time, it would be difficult to enjoy the music of Asia. But "Sole Survivor", makes you pity them again. The talent was there, somewhere but still failed to blossom. Adding to that unfortunate failure was the fact that Asia did not foresee that time would be cruel. Their music was simply good at that time, for that time. And how the mighty fall.

The softer "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" has at least remained pleasant to the ear.

Still, 18 tracks of predictable guitars and drums is a little too much from a band whose only remaining founder is Geoff Downes. Rather keep your money. A quality dinner at a local restaurant is a better option.