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I came across Asia when following the disjointed career of Yes, and I discovered that after "Drama", their virtuoso guitarist Steve Howe left to be part of an 80's progressive supergroup: Asia. This group comprised of John Wetton (King Crimson, vocals & bass), Steve Howe (Yes, vocals & guitar), Geoff Downes (Buggles/Yes, synthesizers), and Carl Palmer (ELP, drums). Each person was well known in their own right, and Howe and Palmer in particular were considered (and still are) to be masters of their respective instruments.

However, Asia proved that putting four men together who are verging on musical genius doesn't create the greatest band in the world. In the case of Yes, the overall sound was always greater than its constituent parts, but with Asia you constantly had the feeling that they weren't fulfilling their potential (or being particularly 'progressive'). On paper, the idea was fantastic, and the result was nearly fantastic. Nearly.

Therefore, the reason that I've given this album five stars is mostly for the nature of the CD. Rather than being an ordinary "greatest hits" or "best of", it covers their entire main output from their 80's years. It contains all the songs from the albums "Asia", "Alpha" and "Astra" in consecutive order, the three albums created under the classic line-up of Wetton, Howe, Downes and Palmer. These albums are also complimented with a few of their other tracks, such as "Ride Easy", "Daylight" and "Lyin' To Yourself". So the five stars goes towards the fact that this is technically an ultimate box set, in the shape of a double CD. Instead of shelling out hard-earned cash on each seperate album (unless you are so inclined), buying this remarkably cheap gold edition will give you full classic Asia coverage!

If you are new to Asia, then certainly buy this. You need nothing else, unless you are converted into an Asia nut, and therefore need to buy everything they've done. As for track highlights, the entire album Asia (i.e. the first nine tracks) beg for a good listen, also flick over to "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes", "The Heat Goes On" and "Daylight".

Worth every penny.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Now they live, and this is just a best of album!

It`s a ok noise in this album, and almost before in another album whith older artist, they give out album with very bad noise. It`s looke like the big firm just won`t to try the marked, and see of they can do some more money?

If you like this type of music, so buy it, it`s a good choice!

Rating: 4 out of 5