Nothing like another Asia compilation although at least this time there is an excuse as the original line-up of John Wetton, Geoff Downes, Steve Howe and Carl Palmer are back together and currently touring.

This sixteen song compilation is hardly definitive though and you'd be better off buying the double CD 'Best Of' released by Universal last year. That one contains tracks that were not featured on the standard studio albums.

The only track on here fans may not have is the remix of 'Go' from the 'Astra' album that came on the 12" single release. Also from the 'Now & Then' compilation from 1990 the excellent 'Days Like These' is included as well.

Otherwise it's five songs apiece from 'Asia' and 'Alpha' plus four songs from 'Astra'.

You can't go wrong with classics like 'Heat Of The Moment', 'Don't Cry' and 'Here Comes The Feeling' but if you have yet to sample the pomp rock delights of Asia I'd steer you towards last year's double CD 'Best Of'.

***** (for the music) *** for the selection

Review by Jason Ritchie