Steely Dan

Aja

First released1977

Aja, released in 1977, was recorded primarily at the Village Recorder and One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles under the meticulous direction of Steely Dan's core members Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, who served as producers. The album was engineered by Bill Schnee and Elliot Mazer, with mixing handled by Schnee, and featured some of the era's finest session musicians including saxophonist Wayne Shorter, keyboardist Victor Feldman, and drummer Jeff Porcaro. The production process was notably demanding and perfectionist, with the band pursuing studio perfection through extensive overdubbing and multiple takes to achieve their sophisticated, highly polished sound. Aja became a landmark achievement in 1970s pop and jazz fusion, reflecting both the band's artistic ambitions and the advanced recording technology and techniques available at the time.