Asia to record new album

The Asia reunion of the original line-up is going so well that the band is planning to record a new album together. As it stands, the group will lay down tracks this year, and the goal is to make the new record available in early 2008. It will mark the first set of new material from singer-bassist John Wetton, guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Geoff Downes, and drummer Carl Palmer since 1983, when the band released their second album, Alpha.

Asia also shot a live DVD in Tokyo earlier this month. There's no word yet on when that might be released, or if it will be a combination package with the new album.

Along with that news comes word that the group will do solo gigs this summer. It had been previously announced that Asia would play dates with bands including Foreigner, Styx, and Def Leppard. Six dates have been announced, with more on the way.

The itinerary (subject to change):
Jun 23 - Atlantic City, NJ - Trump Marina
Jun 29 - Jim Thorpe, PA - Penn's Peak
Jul 3 - Mason, OH - Corwin M. Nixon Park
Jul 4 - Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest
Jul 5 - Chicago, IL - House Of Blues
Jul 6 - Detroit, MI - Renaissance Center