Artiste: Steely Dan
Album: Aja
Spotlight Track: Black Cow
Label: ABC Records
Catalog: AA 1006
Producer: Gary Katz
Song composed by Walter Becker & Donald Fagen
If your taste is skewed towards jazz+rock+funk+R&B+pop, and your ears demand a quality Atas Sikit feel, then you better check out all of Steely Dan’s six albums from the 70’s.
Fronted by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, the real maestroes of songwriting!! You won’t find straight up lovesong lyrics in their music, but a more novel-esque, poetic style type of writing, really glam and akward at the same time. Their music is also characterized by complex jazz-tinged structures and very unusual harmonies.
Here’s a recap of their popular albums, all must-haves in any jazz collection: Can’t Buy a Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy, Pretzel Logic, Katy Lied, The Royal Scam, Aja, and Gaucho. For collector’s, hunt down a 1978 12″ European EP titled “Plus Fours”. Also check out Donald Fagen’s later album Nightfly.
I can’t really decide which track to spotlight this week. I almost settled with my all-time favourite “Glamour Profession” from Gaucho, but finally Black Cow wins the day for it’s sick hip-hop beat, Seow Lang lyrics (Black Cow is a drink like a ice-cream float) and that Jam at the end. Taken from the incredible album Aja (it’s Asia not Aiyah), straight from the title track (featuring a Wayne Shorter solo), to Peg (with Michael Macdonald’s backup vocals), it’s pure Class 95. Maybe 96.
On the later albums, Walter Beck and Donald Fagen dissolved the need for formal band members, and experimented with established jazz sessionist in the studio. On Aja alone hosts names like Wayne Shorter, Lee Rit, Larry Carlton, Steve Gadd and Tom Scott.
Even if you don’t trust us, just give it a listen for youself lah, you won’t be disappointed.
Tangkap This!!!
-Kenny
