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.
While “Indigo” – their new opus, which, adorned in Roger Dean’s artwork, will see the light of day on November 6th – is filled with pieces penned by the current foursome, there are two numbers, penned by the late John Wetton, “Tattoo Indigo (Parts 2 & 3)” and “Chesapeake Bay”: the latter marked by the presence of Steve Howe, and the last portion of of the former, singled out as a bonus track, by the appearance of Mike Portnoy. And if this wasn’t enough, the ensemble plan to take the yet-unheard material on the road, starting with 2026 North American tour and going to Europe early next year. Exciting, indeed.
Indigo
1. The Traveller (Into The Light)
2. Change Of Heart
3. Arcadia
4. Is This The Life?
5. Tattoo Indigo (Part 1)
6. Tattoo Indigo (Part 2)
7. Tattoo Indigo (Part 3)
8. Life In The Sun
9. Hymn For The Fallen
10. Night And Day
11. Valencia (The Ghost Ship)
12. An Elegy
13. Chesapeake Bay (feat. Steve Howe)
14. On A Winter’s Night
15. Echo Of You
bonus track:
16. Tattoo Indigo (Part 3) (feat. Mike Portnoy)
