Aug. 12 marks the 40^th anniversary of the release of Alpha, the second album by rock music supergroup Asia. It was the final studio effort to feature the original lineup (singer/bassist John Wetton, guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Geoff Downes, drummer Carl Palmer) until the four members reunited a quarter century later and put out Phoenix in 2008.

Mike Stone (Journey), who helmed the band’s highly successful eponymous debut in 1982, returned to produce Alpha. The record went platinum in America and reached No. 6 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.

Alpha also spawned several hits on the trade magazine’s Mainstream Rock Radio airplay tally, including “Don’t Cry” (#1; #10 pop), “The Heat Goes On” (#5), “True Colors” (#20), and “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes” (#25; #34 pop). Eight of the 10 tracks were written by Wetton and Downes, with “Smile” by Wetton and “Lying to Yourself” by Wetton and Howe.

This lineup split soon after. They reconvened in 2006 and three studio albums ensued through 2012. Downes and Palmer have kept Asia going with other musicians. Wetton passed away in 2017.

Longtime fans should know (if they don’t already) that Fantasia - Live in Tokyo 2007 was reissued earlier this year on black vinyl as a 3LP set for the first time. The informative background liner notes were written by Dave Gallant. There are new band quotes and rare photos. The intriguing cover artwork by Roger Dean (Yes) is best viewed and the music is best heard in this format.

Recorded at Tokyo’s Shinjuku Kosei Nenkin Hall on March 8, 2007, the 18-track set contains most of the hits and fan favorites from the first two albums. Here, the veteran musicians showed they’d lost none of their dexterity or strengths during the intervening years. Wetton’s stentorian vocals were as powerful as ever and the musicians dazzled from start to finish. Standouts include the harmonies of “One Step Closer,” the piano/acoustic guitar led “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes” with a particularly emotional delivery from Wetton, “Don’t Cry,” and the closing “Heat of the Moment” complete with audience participation.

Another highlight is interspersed throughout the concert. Asia performed lively renditions of four popular songs by each member’s previous bands: “In the Court of the Crimson King” (King Crimson – Wetton), “Video Killer the Radio Star” (The Buggles – Downes), “Fanfare for the Common Man” (Emerson Lake & Palmer – Palmer) and “Roundabout” (Yes – Howe). Highly recommended.

Also newly available: Phoenix in a 2LP vinyl set.