Aja is the sixth studio album by the American jazz rock band Steely Dan, released by ABC Records on September 23, 1977. On the album, band leaders Donald Fagen and Walter Becker pushed Steely Dan further into experimenting with different combinations of session players, enlisting the services of nearly 40 musicians, while pursuing longer, more sophisticated compositions and arrangements. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart, and number five on the UK Albums Chart, ultimately becoming Steely Dan's most commercially successful release. It spawned the hit singles "Peg", "Deacon Blues", and "Josie". At Read more on Last.fm.
Steely Dan seems to be another band that you either love or hate. Those who hate the Dan criticize the precision, perfection and production. For me, that’s why I love them. These records stand the test of time for their sound and most of all, the songs.
Listen to Bernard Purdie’s groove on, “Home At Last.” Ask any drummer to replicate that groove with the same ease. He/She may get back to you in a year. Steely Dan makes it look easy to play such complex music.
Steve Gadd’s drum solo on “Aja,” is jaw dropping in its complexity and precision. To solo like that in time with the song is simply amazing.
“Black Cow,” so vividly describes a jealous loser who can’t get over the fact that his girl is not faithful.
Not only is the music remarkable, but the lyrics. Donald Fagen creates some truly seedy characters detailing their devious ways.
On April 6, 2011, “Aja,” was deemed by the Library of Congress to be “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important” and added to the United States National Recording Registry for the year 2010.