Condition: Used
Steely Dan - Aja
Label: MCA Records
Catalog#: MCA-37214
Format: Vinyl, LP
Recorded 1977 ( Not gatefold issue)
Vinyl: VG++, a few very light scuffs
Cover has light wear to edges and corners, minor ring wear
Country: Canada issue
Released: 1981 Issue
Genre: Jazz, Rock
Style: Soft Rock, Jazz-Rock
Tracklisting:
A1 Black Cow 5:07
A2 Aja 7:56
A3 Deacon Blues 7:26
B1 Peg 3:58
B2 Home At Last 5:31
B3 I Got The News 5:03
B4 Josie 4:30
Credits:
Producer - Gary Katz
Aja is an album that is rich in pure musicianship, tone, and texture. It may sound as if I'm describing a Monet, I know, but this is Rock at its most artistic. With Walter Becker playing guitar, and Donald Fagen providing the synthesizer and soul for Steely Dan, this is a masterpiece. Donald Fagen has a trademark voice that is soulful and smooth. With this duo getting hired help such as Tom Scott, Larry Carlton, Wayne Shorter, Rick Marotta, Steve Gadd, Venetta Fields, and Dean Parks, it reads like an all-star Jazz Fusion jam, and that's a pretty accurate description of what you get here. These are some of the finest jazz session players in the world coming together to make one of the most artistic records of all time. I would categorize this record as Smooth Jazz if you gave me a choice. It's a record that you take with you when you go down to Montrose Harbor at night to look out at the awesome Chicago skyline. It's a record that makes bathing an entirely new experience. It is a smooth, cool, breezy Jazz record that everyone should experience.
This is an album you hate to see come to an end. With only seven tracks, and a running time of just over 39 minutes, it ends way too early. With 5 out of the 7 tracks still in regular rotations on classic rock radio, it shines like a greatest hits diamond. Kicking off the record is "Black Cow", with its funky bass line intro, its' airy background vocals, and the gentle sway of Tom Scott's tenor sax sliding around, it's nothing short of perfect. The album continues to dazzle as it moves on to the title track, a slow charmer that has an incredibly loose jam toward the middle of its' almost 8 minutes. With Wayne Shorter taking the tenor sax duties this time, and the brilliant Steve Gadd rumbling incessantly with some of the greatest cymbal work ever done, this is another gem. Can it get any better? Sure it can. If you put the stellar "Deacon Blues" as the next track, the record would continue to excel. Well, ...the next track is none other than radio staple "Deacon Blues". Perfect. Can it possibly keep this perfect pace going? Sure it can. With the next track being another radio fave, "Peg" has a jumpy jazz rhythm highlighted by a subtle background vocal provided by Michael McDonald. As the next 2 tracks being the only tracks that haven't seen radio airplay, the luck must be running out, right? Nope. With "Home At Last" you, arguably, get the most Jazz influenced song on the record. With phenomenal vibes played by Victor Feldman, and brilliant guitar parts from Larry Carlton and Walter Becker - it's another winner. "I Got The News" is a great song also, with more amazing musicianship. So, how do they end a classy record such as this? They "break out the hats and hooters", of course! With one of my personal favorites from Steely Dan, "Josie" is a sassy and street smart song. A funky jazz strutter that sizzles with persistent rhythm.
This record is Steely Dan's shining triumph. Are all the Steely Dan records good? Yes, absolutely. Are they all this good? Nope. There is a feel to this record that remains unparalleled. It was a special moment in time; when all elements of sound, and talent, and beauty came together to form a genuine masterpiece. Maybe the greatest thing about this record is, simply, that it got recorded. It's now locked in time, and it's ours to draw pleasure from whenever we like. Don't miss your chance.
Steely Dan - Aja
smoothest and most flowing drum solo ever
Steely Dan - "Aja" The Making Of:
Steely Dan - Peg
Hats off to Chuck Rainey. One of the greatest bass lines of all time.
Steely Dan - Josie
I love the bass lines in this song
Steely Dan - Black Cow
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