Steely Dan-Aja (1977)

Steely Dan's sixth album, "Aja", was the New York band's most meticulous work to date, both in its recording process and sophistication, and in the elegance of its compositions and the astonishing arrangements created by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. The recording sessions took nearly a year to complete, involving a vast array of musicians, all among the cream of the crop of American music, in various studios located in New York, Burbank, and Los Angeles, throughout much of 1976 and 1977. This impressive lineup included Larry Carlton, Victor Feldman, Tom Scott, Joe Sample, Rick Marotta, Steve Khan, Michael McDonald, Paul Griffin, Steve Gadd, Timothy B. Schmit, and Jim Kelner. Heavily influenced by funk, jazz, and rock, its grooves contain a series of addictive and catchy songs, astonishingly complex yet remarkably accessible. Tracks like "Black Cow", "Aja", "Deacon Blue", "Peg" or "Josie", summarized a refined album, which became the pinnacle of the band, managing to reach the top positions on the charts on both sides of the Atlantic and four platinum records for its sales.