ASTRA

Between "Alpha" and this album there was a MTV special (released in a video which I have never seen) with Greg Lake replacing John Wetton for this video and a few concert dates in Japan. I don`t know why Wetton was replaced, but in 1984 he was again in Asia. The band began to rehearse for this album and then Steve Howe left the band after conflicts with John Wetton. The new guitarist was Mandy Meyer (ex-Krokus). This album has some good songs (tracks 1 to 5). "Rock and roll Dream" is another song about working in the music bussiness and after years of doing it the musicians are tired of being part of the music bussiness (similar to other songs composed by other bands). Mandy Meyer is more oriented to heavy rock guitars, but his sound is not as original as Steve Howe`s style for Asia. So, Geoff Downes` keyboards dominate this album. Downes also has a co-producer credit in this album. The songs are more pop rock than before. The album wasn`t as successful as their previous albums, and there wasn`t a tour to promote it. John Wetton recorded in 1986 an album with Phil Manzanera under the band name of "Wetton/Manzanera" (with Alan White on drums).