Word: aja
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...blues of this album, at the same time it is the album's triumph. It is sad Steely Dan left its rock and rollpulpit for the endless plane of jazz; it is one of a handful of bands which can do justice to a rapidly whithering art. But Aja comes across as Steely Dan's "breaking on thru"; their growth is so limitless and their potential so boundless that it way only a matter of time before Aja had to arrive. Becker and Fagen are all that's left of the original Dan. Their everpressing musical curiosity has surfaced...
...Aja is the most unique and original album released this year. The album cover is unDanly suave; a mysterious portrain of an exotic woman, it is its own glossy message, carefully designed and stated. There are not bad cuts, but there are several excellent ones. "Aja" and "Deacon Blues" stand as the album's keystones, musically leading the way, lyrically and philosophically into another stage of Steely Dan's growth. The horns and sax are slick, and the sound bottoms out with creditable vibes by Victor Fedlman...
TAGEN IS THE artistic anchor in Aja: he plays synthesizer, writes, and sings backup vocals (the credits list no lead vocals, a forthright statement about instrumental priority) on every...
Steely Dan's musical versatility emerges on the first cut, "Black Cow." The electric piano, clavinet, sax and synthesizer take charge from the upbeat and become hewn into a cogent sound that becomes Aja...
...Aja, for every doubt there is a hope. The strides this group makes with each consecutive album amazes me and promises. And, there are also Steeley Dan's own reassurances...