BMG will issue The Reunion Albums next month, a five-CD box set featuring material from the 2006 reformed classic line-up of Asia, which featured lead vocalist / bassist John Wetton of King Crimson, guitarist Steve Howe of Yes, keyboardist Geoff Downes of Yes, and drummer Carl Palmer from Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The clamshell box set features Fantasia: Live in Tokyo, a live show from their 2007 World Tour (a two-CD set), and the three subsequent studio albums: Phoenix (2008), Omega (2010) and XXX (2012).

This is a set for the dedicated – the fans who will indeed be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Asia's formation by seeking out the double-disc set, Anthologia: 20th Anniversary Geffen Years Collection 1982-90. This collection is no mere anthology; it is a complete recorded works, containing everything the band recorded for Geffen in the '80s, from full albums (Asia, Alpha, Astra), to B-sides and a handful of rarities…

As many longtime Asia fans know, the prog-rock supergroup amassed quite a substantial amount of B-sides, outtakes, and demos over the years. While the 1996 collection ARCHIVES collected many of these oddities, there were more songs left over, hence the appearance of ARCHIVA VOL. 2 the same year. While the majority of the tracks comprising VOL. 2 may not be as instantly rewarding as those on its predecessor, many prove to be quite enjoyable with repeated listens, such as the synth-based "Moon Under the Water," the laid-back "Don't Come to Me," the pop rocker "Obsession," and the sweeping "Armenia."

Archiva, Vol. 1 really is a very pop-oriented album. Asia was an intriguing band when it began, always based solidly in pop traditions, but also with a good deal of progressive rock leanings. This album shows little of that prog flair, except in brief moments. However, the inclusion of the Steve Howe solo "Ginger" – a definite gem – is one good reason to own this album. Geoff Downes and John Payne are featured on all tracks; there are several other musicians present here as well, most notably Howe.

This marriage of four players with impressive pedigrees proved to be the success story of 1982 when Asia's debut lodged itself at the top of the U.S. album charts for two months. The album spawned a massive number four single in "Heat of the Moment," a follow-up Top 20 hit in the sweeping "Only Time Will Tell," and a handful of other tracks that received heavy radio play despite going against the grain of the new wave styling of the day. Produced by Mike Stone, Asia's strengths were the powerful vocals of John Wetton, the nimble, classically tinged guitar work of Steve Howe, Geoffrey Downes' majestic keyboard playing, and anchoring the band, Carl Palmer's propulsive drumming. The lyrics are overwrought at moments, but there's no denying the epic grandeur of the music, which provided some much-needed muscle to radio at the time, and did so with style.

Asia hadn't released an album of new music since 1985, so changes were to be expected. But changes for the better – well, that was a pleasant surprise. Aqua found the band infused with new energy, represented by a younger generation of arena rockers in bassist/vocalist John Payne and guitarist Al Pitrelli. Although Payne doesn't invite comparison to John Wetton or Greg Lake (his voice tends to get rougher as it gets louder), he gets the job done and turns out to be a pretty good songwriter in the bargain…

Released in 1985, Astra is Asia's third studio album and first without guitarist Steve Howe. While somewhat unfairly regarded in comparison to Asia's first two albums, Astra is nonetheless a solid prog rock outing that finds bassist/vocalist John Wetton, keyboardist Geoff Downes, drummer Carl Palmer, and replacement guitarist, Krokus' Mandy Meyer, delivering a set of melodic and driving rock anthems…

A re-pressing of 2002's excellent Anthologia: 20th Anniversary Geffen Years Collection, this isn't just a loosely assembled collection of Asia's finest moments – it's everything but the kitchen sink and bandmember arguments caught on tape…

Then & Now is British rock band Asia's half fourth studio/half first greatest hits album. The six tracks 1–5 and 10 are from earlier albums ("Then"), while the four tracks 6–9 inclusive are new recordings ("Now")…

This marriage of four players with impressive pedigrees proved to be the success story of 1982 when Asia's debut lodged itself at the top of the U.S. album charts for two months…

As a man not familiar with the classic rock act Asia, I must say that this live concert (originally recorded back in 2012 at the Regency Ballroom) comes as a breath of fresh air and served as a bit of a break from all of the extreme heavy metal that I pound my eardrums with on a daily basis. First and foremost, the listener is getting a concert performance of ridiculously high clarity, which is always a major factor for me in live albums.

Alpha is the second studio album by British rock band Asia, released in 1983. It was certified platinum in the United States, eventually selling close to two million copies…

Recorded at Central Studios, in Nottingham in 23 June 1990, during their second concert of their "Then and Now" tour. This reunion tour was planned after a partial and more or less unofficial reunion of a line-up with Carl Palmer and John Wetton with other two musicians as "Asia" happened with a few tour dates during 1989…