Aja SHM

Since 2008 (and this is in Japan alone) there have been a dizzying 'nine' reissues of Steely Dan's 1977 meisterwerk "Aja" on various CD formats including the big reissue three - SHM-CD, Platinum SHM-CD and SHM-SACD. Hell as I write this review there's yet another due on 17 May 2017 in a standard jewel case. And with the famous LP's 40th birthday due in September of this very year - we'll probably see yet another anniversary reissue that comes complete with a live Japanese woman in a ceremonial kimono on the Ambidextrous Whistling-Dixie Chim Chim Cher-ee Chim Chim Cher-Roo Uber Strudel Deluxe Edition (she'll be a limited edition of course and won't have aged a jot in 40 years).But which CD variant does an upstanding with-it Audiophile dweeb like me buy? In a sea of reissue temptation I'm going to plum for this beautiful September 2013 Japanese version that comes on the exclusive Platinum SHM-CD format with a new best ever Remaster and truly gorgeous packaging (see photos supplied). Here comes the Deacon Blues...Released 23 September 2013 in Japan only (deleted March 2014) - "Aja" by STEELY DAN on Geffen/Universal UICY-40007 (Barcode 4988005782175) is a PLATINUM SHM-CD reissue in a Presentation Repro Artwork Box and plays out as follows (39:49 minutes):1. Black Cow [Side 1]2. Aja3. Deacon Blues4. Peg [Side 2]5. Home At Last6. I Got The News7. JosieTracks 1 to 7 are their fifth studio album "Aja" - released 23 September 1977 in the USA on ABC Records AB 1006 and in the UK on ABC Records ABCL 5225. Produced by GARY KATZ and Mastered by BERNIE GRUNDMAN - it peaked at No. 3 in the USA and No. 5 in the UK.The first thing that hits you is the 'look'. I've a version of "Dire Straits" by DIRE STRAITS on this Platinum-SHM CD format (see separate review) and 'class' is the word that jumps to mind. Inside an oversized white-bordered presentation box is the MINI LP REPRO ARTWORK of "Aja" in a high glossy sleeve complete with Obi, the Inner Sleeve repro'd and a black and white 24-page booklet. As it is with all of these Japanese reissues - the booklet is a slightly disappointing affair - Japanese language liner notes from 2000 by Y. OTOMO, the lyrics in English and naught else by way of any photos. But that's all academic to the Audio.First up - it's been DSD flat transferred from Japanese original analogue master tapes by HITOSHI TAKIGUCH at Universal Music Studios in Tokyo in 2000. Further to this - YUMETOKI SUZUKI then 24-bit transferred from DSD in 2013 and in turn that was followed by high resolution cutting of the disc (also in 2013).The SHM-CD or Super High Materials format (exclusive to Japan) is a better variant of the original CD that of course dates back to the early 1980s. The Platinum variant of SHM is supposed to be the ultimate music carrier able to find more nuances in the transfer than the basic red-book version. As you can see from the exhaustive list I've compiled below - now there is also the SHM-SACD format for Super Audio fans - but that requires SACD-playback on your player - the SHM and Platinum-SHM variants does not - they play on all machines.To put this is a most basic way - this Platinum SHM-CD sounds incredible. I've been listening to my favourite Steely Dan album for 40 years now and have sappily collected no less than seven vinyl pressings of varying issues and also own the 1999 Donald Fagen and Walter Becker CD Remaster too. But this is the best I've ever heard "Aja" sound. It helps of course to have decent equipment (mine isn't that overly expensive) – but I'm thinking this sucker will sound great on any system (the Japanese even provide a protective gauze bag for the disc). Now to the music...Since their 1972 debut "Can't Buy A Thrill" - Steely Dan has slowly become one of the most sophisticated recording acts of the Seventies - abandoning touring after the second LP and legendarily featuring the best session men for their albums as early as "Countdown To Ecstasy" in 1973. By the time "Aja" arrived in 1977 - they were almost a Jazz-Rock act with the list of 'appears courtesy of' artists reading like a who’s who of West and East Coast musical alumni. You know you're in the realms of a serious album when the liners note state 'Rhythm Charts Prepared By'...To give an indication of the talent used - "Aja" had seven tracks with six different drummers - Paul Humphrey on "Black Cow", Steve Gadd on "Aja", Bernard Purdie on "Deacon Blues" and "Home At Last", Rick Marotta on "Peg", Ed Greene on "I Got The News" and Jim Keltner on "Josie". The guitarists featured another list of superlatives - Larry Carlton on all tracks except "Peg", Lee Ritenour on "Deacon Blues", Steve Khan on "Peg" with a thrilling solo from Jay Graydon and Dean Parks on "Josie". Keyboard players included Michael Omartian, Victor Feldman, Joe Sample of The Crusaders, Paul Griffin and Don Grolnick – while Backing Singers featured Michael McDonald of The Doobie Brothers ("Peg" and "I Got The News"), Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles ("Aja" and "Home At Last") - not to mention the golden ladies - Clydie King, Venetta Fields, Sherlie Matthews and Rebecca Louis. Horn players included Jazz Giants like Wayne Shorter and Tom Scott. To top all of this you had core members of Steely Dan - Donald Fagen sang all lead vocals and played guitars with Denny Dias while Walter Becker exonerated himself with Bass and inventive guitar solos on "Home At Last" and "I Got The News".Every track is a rich musical gem - with some requiring a few comebacks to appreciate the sheer depth of what's coming at you ("Aja" and "Home At Last" for instance). Others like the lengthy "Deacon Blues" and the riffing "Josie" seem simpler but again contain amazing musicianship if you dig in. What also gets you is the sheer funkiness of the album - tracks like "I Got The News" and "Black Cow" eat their way into your pants while the centre passage of "Aja" when Fagen lets blast on that Police whistle is simply stupendous. The Platinum SHM-CD brings up those funky guitar chugs of Larry Carlton and Dean Parks on "Josie" while Michael McDonald's distinctive voice steps just enough out of the chorus on "Peg" to make the hairs on your arms point northwards. If I were to single one track - I'd stump up the piano-funk of "Home At Last" - Walter Becker's guitar solo - Chuck Rainey laying down that Bass backbeat. "...Could it be that I have found my home at last..." Well yes it could."Aja" is 40 in September 2017 and I'll be 59 on the 29th of that month - still soppy at the mere sight of that tasteful Hideki Fujii front cover photo - still in love with this magnificent achievement. Punk and New Wave was thrashing about all around it - but even they would nod in respect to "Aja" - and this in my opinion is the best version of it yet...PS: FOR INFO PURPOSES - JAPANESE REISSUES for STEELY DAN on the SHM-CD, SACD and PLATINUM SHM-CD Formats...The Japanese reissue program surrounding STEELY DAN and their core catalogue of albums between 1972 and 1980 ("Can't Buy A Thrill" through to "Gaucho") for the three formats of SHM-CD, PLATINUM SHM-CD and SHM-SACD is a tangled minefield of reissue after further reissue – a long line of endless upgraded versions. This list is an attempt to sort out what’s what.Audio wise – most of the 2008 to 2011 issues are based on the Donald Fagen and Walter Becker approved remasters of 1999 - all of which are easily available as US and European MCA Remastered CDs (and cheaply too). But for those who crave best ever sound from this most Audiophile of American bands – the Superior Formats and repro packaging imitating original US album artwork are more than enticing.There are also reissues from 2014 in Japan that have exclusive Remasters using US analogue tapes (listed below). And all though they’re constantly reissued – technically all Japanese CD reissues of back-catalogue are limited editions (they sell out quickly and become deleted soon after). So I’ve included exact barcodes to find the right issues when looking for them on various sale/auction sites.This list is accurate to May 2017...SHM-CD (Jewel Case AND Mini Repro LP Artwork Versions):1. "Can't Buy A Thrill" (1972)(i) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD released 12 October 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-20122 (Barcode 4988005639240) – 1999 Remaster(ii) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD released 29 December 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-93515 (Barcode 4988005518293) – 1999 Remaster2. "Countdown To Ecstasy" (1973)(i) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD released 12 October 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-25036 (Barcode 4988005677754) – 1999 Remaster(ii) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD released 29 December 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-93516 (Barcode 4988005518309) – 1999 Remaster(iii) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD re-released 30 July 2014 on Geffen/Universal UICY-76427 (Barcode 4988005831552) - features 2014 DSD Remastering from original US analogue master tapes and HR Cutting on the Disc3. "Pretzel Logic" (1974)(i) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD released 12 October 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-25037 (Barcode 4988005677761) – 1999 Remaster(ii) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD released 29 December 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-93517 (Barcode 4988005518316) – 1999 Remaster(iii) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD re-released 24 September 2014 on Geffen/Universal UICY-76524 (Barcode 4988005838209) - features 2014 DSD Remastering from original US analogue master tapes and HR Cutting on the Disc4. "Katy Lied" (1975)(i) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD released 12 October 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-25038 (Barcode 4988005677778) – 1999 Remaster(ii) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD released 29 December 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-93518 (Barcode 4988005518323) – 1999 Remaster5. "The Royal Scam" (1976)(i) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD released 12 October 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-25039 (Barcode 4988005677785)(ii) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD released 29 December 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-93519 (Barcode 4988005518330)6. "Aja" (1977)(i) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD released 23 January 2008 on Geffen/Universal UICY-90764 (Barcode 4988005502070)(ii) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD released 24 June 2009 on Geffen/Universal UICY-91430 (Barcode 4988005560810)(iii) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD re-released 12 October 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-25040 (Barcode 4988005677792)(iv) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD re-released 29 December 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-93520 (Barcode 4988005518347)(v) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD re-released 25 September 2013 on Geffen/Universal UICY-75768 (Barcode 4988005782274) – HR Cutting(vi) Non SHM CD Issue (standard CD) in a Standard Jewel Case re-released 17 May 2017 on Geffen/Universal UICY-78312 (Barcode 4988031220726)7. "Gaucho" (1980)(i) Standard Jewel Case SHM-CD released 12 October 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-25041 (Barcode 4988005677808)(ii) Mini LP Repro Artwork SHM-CD released 29 December 2011 on Geffen/Universal UICY-93521 (Barcode 4988005518354)PLATINUM SHM-CD (Mini LP Repro Artwork inside a White Bordered Box):"Can't Buy A Thrill", "Katy Lied" and "The Royal Scam" – not issued on this format as of May 20171. "Countdown To Ecstasy" (1973)(i) Released 30 July 2014 on Geffen/Universal UIGY-9566 (Barcode 4988005831590) - features 2014 DSD Remastering from original US analogue master tapes(ii) Re-released 24 August 2016 on Geffen/Universal UIGY-15005 (Barcode 4988031161814) – features 2014 DSD Remastering from original US analogue master tapes2. "Pretzel Logic" (1974)(i) Released 24 September 2014 on Geffen/Universal UICY-40085 (Barcode 4988005838155)3. "Aja" (1977)(i) Released 25 September 2013 on Geffen/Universal UICY-40007 (Barcode 4988005782175)SHM-SACD:These Japanese SHM-SACD releases require a CD player that has SUPER AUDIO playback facilities - they will NOT PLAY IN A STANDARD PLAYER. There are two variants of Remasters - 2010 DSD versions done exclusively in Japan and based on Japanese original analogue tapes – and 2014 variants based on US analogue tapes with HR Disc Cutting. The 2014 variants come in white-bordered boxes like the Platinum SHM-CD issues."Can't Buy A Thrill", "Countdown To Ecstasy" and "Katy Lied" – not issued on this format as of May 20171. "Pretzel Logic" (1974)(i) Released 24 September 2014 on Geffen/Universal UIGY-9568 (Barcode 4988005838223) - features 2014 DSD Remastering from original US analogue master tapes and HR Cutting on the Disc2. "The Royal Scam" (1976)(i) Released 28 September 2011 on Geffen/Universal UIGY-9501 (Barcode 4988005653628) – Withdrawn3. "Aja" (1977)(i) Released 30 June 2010 on Geffen/Universal UIGY-9026 (Barcode 498800 5614384) – features 2010 DSD Remastering(ii) Re-released 26 November 2014 on Geffen/Universal UIGY-9591 (Barcode 4988005857439) –features 2010 DSD Remastering4. "Gaucho" (1980)(i) Released 24 October 2010 on Geffen/Universal UIGY-9039 (Barcode 4988005633330) in oversized Card Repro Artwork(ii) Released 26 November 2014 on Geffen/Universal UIGY-9592 (Barcode 4988005857446) in SACD Jewel Case

I was excited when I saw this long-awaited hi-resolution version of Aja. I'm sure I can't add anything to why this album is such a classic. But I do want to comment that the SACD was not worth the very high premium price. I have a good system, and I can easily hear the difference in well-made hi-res recordings. What seems to be the issue here is that the master tape used lacks dynamics, seems flat and rather poorly recorded. Even the frequency balance seems off, and needed a little bass and treble boost just to punch it up a bit. I could have believed this (2-ch only) SACD was made from a 2nd or 3rd generation master tape. So my advice is don't waste your money, unless you're a very rabid Steely Dan fan who just has to have it in his or her collection. In contrast, there is a now-out-of-print DTS 5.1 disc of Gaucho that is very good sonically (even though DTS is not the best possible format, compared to DVD-A, Blu-Ray, and SACD) and the 5.1 DVD-A disc of S. Dan's Two Against Nature is superb.So if the DVD-A of Two Against Nature is a 9 or 10 on the 1-10 scale, I'd give this SACD recording of Aja maybe a 4 or 5, which is a bit sad considering the album itself is a 10!

I bought this disc a year ago and was saving it for a special occasion. I finally opened the shrink wrap, popped the CD in the player, and precisely nothing happened. It's unplayable and I'm unable at this point to get a refund. NOT HAPPY!

5* for music 4* Sacd. I own this on Vinyl and SACD. The Cisco 30th anniversary sounds amazing, one of the best albums I own in terms of sound quality. This is one of my go to records for a demo of the sound of analog. I also own the reissued import 180 g, which sounds really good, but not as good as the anniversary reissue. Now to the SACD. It is a little on the bright side on my system. It still sounds good. It has a lot of detail, but it is bright to me. I have used it on two separate SACD players and systems and both sounded a tad bright. Overall, I don't regret the purchase,but it isn't the version I was hoping for. Hopefully, a nice hirez version will come out in the near future.

Excellent experience listening to one of my favorite albums of all time in the SACD format.The mix is so good that I had to recalibrate my system to get the the most out of this release.

I love this album and the band, the SHM SACD however will only play in few of my devices and not the one I want to play it in the most. Not sure what the issue is. The disc is simply not recognized as even being in the drive for my PC (which is where it would be played the most) even though I have been able to play any other SACD in the drive. So that part is very disappointing, as I typically will convert the disc to digital and play in my digital library with all of my other music.

Aja is one of the best recordings available, and is well worthy of the SACD price

Superb service. Rapid delivery from Overseas. Price was reasonable for SACD sound. Highly reconmend.

This won’t play on my very expensive set up. My audio lab CD player displays “ bad disc”. Is there a CD player in existence that actually plays these discs ?

Excellent, and a much better sounding pressing , which I was surprised at. I've never got involved in the this one sounds better debate, but this really does !

In one word superb!!! Very open transparent and natural sounding, I will be looking into other platinum shm cds if they are as good as this one that will be great.

Totally satisfied purchase.

Great packaging of a fine album. One of my favorites. The SCM CD Platnium Edition sounds really good. This album already sounded very good with a great mix. Now it sounds even better. Obviously, the better your playback system, the better you will be able to enjoy this fine CD. I've heard people say they don't hear much difference and when I ask what they are playing back on, they say computer speakers. I don't know why you would bother getting this level of quality CD for a computer speaker set up...