{"product_id":"steely-dan-aja-45-rpm-200-gram-clarity-vinyl","title":"Steely Dan - Aja  (45 RPM 200 Gram Clarity Vinyl)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e— The Analog Vault \/\/ Essential Listening —\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c!--StartFragment --\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eStudio craft became the instrument on\u003cem\u003e Aja,\u003c\/em\u003e where Donald Fagen and Walter Becker marshalled a small army of session greats into sleek perfection. The title track flows as a multi-section suite; “Deacon Blues” stretches melancholy across sax elegy and Rhodes glow; “Peg” snaps into immaculate pocket. Every element locks with precision yet feels cool and effortless. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eOriginally released in 1977 on ABC Records, the album blended jazz harmony and pop architecture into a platinum benchmark. Decades on, Aja endures as both audiophile reference point and urbane classic - harmonically rich, exacting and endlessly re-playable. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf1\"\u003e— \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/theanalogvault.mom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eThe Analog Vault\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003e—\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c!--EndFragment --\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFounded by core members Walter Becker (bass) and Donald Fagen (vocals, keyboards), Steely Dan's popularity rose throughout the late 1970s on, and their seven albums throughout that period of time blended elements of jazz, rock, funk, R\u0026amp;B, and pop. Steely Dan created a sophisticated, distinctive sound with accessible melodic hooks, complex harmonies and time signatures, and a devotion to the recording studio. Becker and Fagen, with producer Gary Katz, gradually changed Steely Dan from a performing band to a studio project, hiring session musicians to record their compositions. The duo didn't perform live between 1974 and 1993. But their popularity nevertheless grew throughout the '70s as their albums became critical favorites and their singles became staples of Adult Oriented Radio and pop radio stations.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eIf you were an audiophile in the late 1970s, you owned\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eAja\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eRolling Stone\u003c\/em\u003e, which ranks 1977's\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eAja\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eat No. 63 on its latest 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, says \"this was Walter Becker and Donald Fagen's no-holds barred stab at becoming a huge mainstream jazz-pop success. And sure enough, thanks to sweet, slippery tracks like 'Deacon Blues,' and 'Peg,' this collegiate band with a name plucked from a William Burroughs novel and a songbook full of smart, cynical lyrics became bona fide superstars, shooting to the Top Five and selling platinum. And yes,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eAja\u003c\/em\u003e even won a 'Grammy for Best Engineeed Album'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout 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. — (via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/store.acousticsounds.com\/d\/171049\/Steely_Dan-Aja-UHQR_Vinyl_Record\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eAcoustic Sounds\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e—\u003cbr\u003e- Steely Dan's landmark sixth studio album now available on UHQR.\u003cbr\u003e- Definitive reissue Ultra High Quality Record, the pinnacle of high-quality vinyl.\u003cbr\u003e- 45 RPM LP release limited to 30,000 numbered copies.\u003cbr\u003e- Mastered by Bernie Grundman from an analog, non-Dolby EQ'd quarter-inch 15 ips tape copy.\u003cbr\u003e- Pressed at Quality Record Pressings using 200-gram Clarity Vinyl®.\u003cbr\u003e- Purest possible pressing and most visually stunning presentation and packaging.\u003cbr\u003e- Tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jackets with film lamination by Stoughton Printing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" style=\"border-radius: 12px;\" data-testid=\"embed-iframe\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/1hOK2ey9W76x9GnftSRgrw?utm_source=generator\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr\u003e↓\u003cbr\u003eLabel: Analogue Productions, Geffen Records, UMe\u003cbr\u003eSeries: UHQR by Analogue Productions\u003cbr\u003eFormat: 2 x Vinyl, 12\", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Stereo, 200 g, Clarity Vinyl, Clear\u003cbr\u003eBox Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Numbered\u003cbr\u003eReissued: 2023 \/ Original Release: 1977\u003cbr\u003eGenre: Jazz, Rock\u003cbr\u003eStyle:  Fusion\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFile under: TAV Essential Listening\u003cbr\u003eFile under: School Of Rock\u003cbr\u003e⦿\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Analogue Productions \/ Geffen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44326517506206,"sku":"753088144578","price":225.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0584\/5434\/3838\/files\/AUHQR_0014-45__171049__08112022022534-3327_c50694db-d2a8-4e77-bf4f-7d36fcc7218c.jpg?v=1727344550","url":"https:\/\/theanalogvault.mom\/products\/steely-dan-aja-45-rpm-200-gram-clarity-vinyl","provider":"The Analog Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}