Aja, Steely Dan’s sixth studio opus, is yet another testament to Walter Becker and Donald Fagen’s quest for sonic perfection. Such was the quality of the record that it was often used to demonstrate the audio fidelity for stereo systems, and winning the 1978 Grammy Award for Best Engineered Non-Classical Recording. Produced by Gary Katz, the album peaked at No 3 in the States (where it went double platinum) and No 5 in the U.K., producing the hit singles "Peg," "Deacon Blues" and "Josie" in the process. In a review that gave the album full marks, Q magazine described the record as “Sleek, smart, deliciously cynical, (this) was the Steely Dan album that effectively ring-fenced jazz-funk forevermore… what rich entertainment still."

 

1. Black Cow

2. Aja

3. Deacon Blues

4. Peg

5. Home At Last

6. I Got The News

7. Josie