LOS ANGELES (UMe Records) - "Icon," the first new full-length album in 20 years from Asia founding members John Wetton and Geoff Downes, was released exclusively via digital download in the U.S. on May 10, 2005, by UMe Digital. "Icon" may be purchased by individual track or in its entirety via all major digital download music services.
Featuring 11 originals, "Icon" was written during the past year by Wetton/Downes around the same piano upon which they penned such '80s anthems as "Heat Of The Moment," "Don't Cry" and "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes." Recorded in England, the album features guest appearances by Annie Haslam (Renaissance), Ian McDonald (Foreigner, King Crimson) and Hugh McDowell (ELO) plus longtime Wetton collaborators Steve Christey (drums), John Mitchell (guitars) and Mike Stobbie (keyboards).
The biggest-selling artists to date issued by UMe Digital, the world's first all-digital download label from a major music company - in fact, from the world's largest music company, Universal Music Group (UMG) - Wetton and Downes represent prog-rock's finest creative and commercial heritage, including Asia, which sold more than 10,000,000 albums worldwide.
"John Wetton and Geoff Downes have a huge fan base," notes Jay Gilbert, Sr. Director, New Media, UMe. "Separately they still tour and record. But the retail climate is such that `Icon' can best reach their fans in the U.S. by digital download - and we're proud to be able to make that possible for these truly influential artists." The "Icon" CD was released April 21 in Japan and is set for its European debut on May 16.
Asia was formed by singer-bassist Wetton (King Crimson, Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Uriah Heep, U.K.), keyboardist Downes (Yes, The Buggles), guitarist Steve Howe (Yes) and drummer Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake and Palmer). With Wetton and Downes as the core songwriters, the supergroup's eponymous debut was the world's best-selling album in 1982, No 1 U.S. for 10 weeks. Quadruple platinum - and thus one of the most successful debuts in history - Asia yielded the pop hits "Heat Of The Moment" and "Only Time Will Tell."
1983's "Alpha" went platinum and Top 10, boosted by "Don't Cry" and "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes." But after 1985's "Astra," Wetton and Downes went their separate ways. In 1989, a reformed Asia toured Europe, sparking 1990's "Then & Now," a greatest hits-plus gold album. Wetton however did not remain with the Downes-led Asia that has since continued to tour and record. Their paths crossed for the first time since 1990 when they graced the same stage at a 2002 fan convention in Philadelphia. Downes subsequently contributed to Wetton's 2003 solo album "Rock Of Faith." And now these two icons of rock reunite for "Icon."
Tracklisting:
Overture: Paradox
Let Me Go
God Walks With Us
I Stand Alone
Meet Me At Midnight
Hey Josephine
Far Away
Please Change Your Mind
Sleep Angel
Spread Your Wings
In The End
