Aja (studio album) by Steely Dan

Good album, nice introduction to jazz rock

This is without a doubt Steely Dan's masterpiece. Everything just comes together so beautifully on this release and we are treated to one of the most in depth and fulfilling albums I have ever had the joy of experiencing. The whole album is just overflowing with outstanding quality with the experimentation they slowly introduced into their releases coming to a phenomenal conclusion on here. We get a musical marvel with the multi layering and instrumentals being some of the greatest I have ever heard on any record. The compositions from track to track are stunning and the performances on top of this are just pure perfection. They have mastered their style and their jazz rock fusion is one of the most satisfying soundscapes I have ever heard. This is best demonstrated on the two longer songs, Aja and Deacon Blues, which are packed full of character and life making them feel so rich and luxurious. The guitar, percussion, bass and piano on both of these songs are standouts, just like they are across the whole release, but my personal highlight is the sax performances on both songs. The better display is on Aja with Wayne Shorter absolutely commanding the song. You can't forget about the energetic and enthralling second half as well with Peg and Josie bringing the level of this album up even higher than it already was. Overall, this album in my opinion really feels like a delicacy and I'm extremely grateful to be able to witness the peak of Steely Dan over and over again as it truly is a masterpiece.

From flamingyesdept 02/21/2023 20:53

Sonic perfection, start to end!

"Aja" from 1977 is one of Steely Dan's commercially most successful albums. This may seem a bit surprising since the album also can be considered as one of the group's hardest to get into. It is a very jazz inspired album, and you will find several well-known jazz names among the session-musicians.
The album contains only seven titles, three of which were actually pretty big hits. "Peg" was the biggest with a position on the number 11 spot, but also "Deacon Blues" and "Josie" reached the top thirty.

The longest track on the album, with its almost eight minutes, is the title song "Aja", which I personally find the most exciting on the album. It has a great melody and moreover it has a very catchy "woodwind" theme and some nice guitar. Also "Home at Last" is a song that wins on closer acquaintance; actually also a very melodic song and classic Steely Dan style.

Since I am not the big fan of jazz music the album naturally is not found among my biggest Steely Dan favorites, but apart from "I Got the News" I have actually come to like the album a lot.

https://www.angelfire.com/nv/Badfinger/BANDsteelydan.html

From VictorVale 09/20/2022 20:14

Pra variar, impecáveis!

Solid

Steely Dan's magnum opus, the peak realization of their efforts as studio lab rats and audiophilic perfectionists. Their jazziest record yet, Aja is the embodiment of their sonic ambitions and the best example of their rotating studio musician lineup that gives each track its own unique flavor, while keeping the fundamental root of jazz rock to its core. You'd have never thought Wayne Shorter on a rock record could sound this good.

Essential picks: Black Cow, Aja, Deacon Blues, Home at Last

A sublime, pristine sounding record of great dark beauty and complexity.

Great Steely Dan album with slick production (as always).

superb genius pop jazz in its greatest inclination