Description
Aja — Steely Dan's landmark sixth studio album now on UHQR!
Definitive reissue Ultra High Quality Record, the pinnacle of high-quality vinyl!
45 RPM LP release limited to 30,000 numbered copies
Mastered by Bernie Grundman from an analog, non-Dolby EQ'd quarter-inch 15 ips tape copy
Pressed at Quality Record Pressings using 200-gram Clarity Vinyl®
This landmark album in the band's career features a sophisticated, polished sound that reflects the band's meticulous attention to detail and the influence of jazz and fusion music.
Fagan and Becker would assemble a revolving cast of almost 40 session musicians to play on the album, consisting of some of the all-time greats, including Joe Sample, Larry Carlton, Wayne Shorter, Steve Gadd, Lee Ritenour, Timothy B. Schmidt — it's a long list. It's a Who's Who of session superstars.
The album name and its title track were inspired by a South Korean woman whom a high school friend's brother had married after serving in the army in her country. The chord progressions and melodies are so unique and so typically Steely Dan. The drum solo at the end of the title track by Steve Gadd is also astounding.
The album's title track, "Aja," opens with a serene piano introduction before building into a complex, multi-layered arrangement that features intricate drum patterns, subtle guitar lines, and a soaring saxophone solo. Other standout tracks include "Deacon Blues," a melancholy ballad with introspective lyrics, and "Peg," a catchy tune with a funky groove and infectious chorus.
Throughout the album, Steely Dan's lyrics explore themes of disillusionment, regret, and the quest for fulfillment. In "Black Cow," the opening track, the narrator laments the loss of a relationship, while in "Josie," the album's closing track, the band celebrates the freedom and excitement of a new love affair.
The album's meticulous production values, including multiple layers of instrumentation and intricate vocal harmonies, showcase Steely Dan's commitment to sonic perfection.
