One can rarely get excited when old ensembles, led by a sole member of a classic line-up, acquire new players and forge ahead – but it was not the case with ASIA, as this scribe discussed in a video. The current version of this band, with Geoff Downes at the helm, released the “Live In England” album last March that could convince even the biggest doubter in their strength, because having guitarist John Mitchell and drummer Virgil Donati on board meant the quarter meant business, yet the group secret weapon is singing bassist Harry Whitley, who made the prospect of the collective’s fresh studio recording so interesting. The results of their work, however, turn out to be even more intriguing.
