Steely Dan - Aja on vinyl

Posted by: fasterbyelan on 24 January 2011

I would like to buy a vinyl copy of the Steely Dan album Aja. What would those who have heard this record recommend from the various re-issues that are or have been available (new or second hand)? Or should I look out for a good original copy?

Regards,

Karl

Posted on: 24 January 2011 by Lontano

Michael Fremer's review of Aja recently issued by Cisco. They have some left at Acoustic Sounds.

http://www.musicangle.com/album.php?id=543

"…This Cisco reissue is vastly superior to both the original pressing and to Mobile Fidelity's ½ speed mastered reissue…This is sublime ear candy and more importantly magnificent music making. No wonder it retains its attraction 30 years after first being issued. More proof that we're living in the second coming of analog." Music = 10/11; Sound = 10/11 – Michael Fremer, www.musicangle.com

And now, in commemoration of its 30^th anniversary, Aja IS BACK – IN EVEN GREATER GLORY! Remastered by Kevin Gray, cut at AcousTech Mastering, Pressed on virgin 180-gram vinyl at RTI! Aja has now gotten the royal treatment!

This Cisco reissue has been personally approved by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker as well as Ajarecording engineer Elliot Scheiner.

Posted on: 24 January 2011 by BigH47

Or for a different slant, try Better Records - they may be biased of course:-

Posted on: 24 January 2011 by Hot Rats

I have original UK and USA pressings. I seem to recall that the USA one is better. The MOFI CD is not too good. The most recent CD remaster is good but the 'Citizen Steely Dan' tracks are more natural sounding than the remaster.

Whatever you get, it's always going to be a truly great album!

Posted on: 25 January 2011 by lutyens

I have an original UK pressing and I treated myself to the Cisco pressing when it came out. The Cisco is impressive! There is more 'blackness' to the background to my ears but then I thought my original was always rather good to my ears too. It was just 30 years old!
atb
james

Posted on: 25 January 2011 by fasterbyelan

Thank you for your replies.

I do have the ‘Citizen’ CD set and enjoy it a lot. Regarding the Cisco LP, after research I did think that it was the one to get and have had it on order for 10 weeks now from a UK supplier. As it is taking so long I will have to cancel it but need an alternative pressing.

The LP has been re-issued recently on the ‘Back to Black’ series (has anyone heard it?) so this is one alternative. I am reluctant to order it direct from Acoustic Sounds as the cost will be very high once shipping and custom charges are paid (I may enquire though!)

Karl

Posted on: 25 January 2011 by matt podniesinski

I would also recommend the Cisco pressing. They did a really nice job on this title.

Posted on: 25 January 2011 by formbypc

Cheapest I've found so far is a smidgen under £50.00 .......

Anyone seen it cheaper?

Posted on: 25 January 2011 by formbypc

To fasterbyelan - cisco's website says they ship worldwide, so you could order it direct (£39 or so at current exchange rate, plus postage)

Posted on: 25 January 2011 by fasterbyelan

I have asked Acoustic Sounds how much they will charge for postage- awaiting a reply. The LP cost $40, which is around £25, so it will come out at around £45 once the customs fees are added.

Karl

Posted on: 25 January 2011 by Jay Coleman

I would avoid the "Back to Black." I have not had good experience with them.

"It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing."

Posted on: 25 January 2011 by fasterbyelan

Reference:

formbypc offline Senior Member Today at 16.44 To fasterbyelan - cisco's website says they ship worldwide, so you could order it direct (£39 or so at current exchange rate, plus postage)

I'm having trouble locating the Cisco website you mentioned - could you send me a link?

Thanks,

Karl

Posted on: 25 January 2011 by formbypc

Sorry, it wasn't Cisco's - they appear to have forgotten to renew their web hosting at ciscomusic.com - but there's this one

http://www.elusivedisc.com/searchprods.asp

Posted on: 25 January 2011 by fasterbyelan

Reference:

Sorry, it wasn't Cisco's - they appear to have forgotten to renew their web hosting at ciscomusic.com - but there's this one http://www.elusivedisc.com/searchprods.asp

Thanks for that - I was beginning to think I'd lost my internet search touch!

I don't know if Cisco exists any more. Were they connected with the Japanese Cisco which has closed?

Karl

Posted on: 25 January 2011 by Lontano

Yes, cisco closed down

Posted on: 25 January 2011 by kuma

It's a shame that Cisco went down as I thought the Aja was the best sounding reissue so far beating the original ABC US issue.

A good news is that the same team is now the part of the new Impex Records which I recently purchased their Brubeck's Time Furhter Out reissue to check their work out.

Unfortunately it's a stereo release ( there's some ping pong thing going on compared to the wonderful mono original ), but the rest is very well done as the Aja was.

Check them out.

Posted on: 28 January 2011 by pcstockton

Its not vinyl.... but the MCA-Canada (Steve Hoffman) CD pressing of Aja is spectacular.

As, is Katy Lied - Japan MCAD-37043 also Hoffman.

-Patrick

Posted on: 04 February 2011 by J.N.

Posted on: 04 February 2011 by mudwolf

When I bought my Rega TT my evil dealer said, if you want vinyl there are 2 shops on the other side of the freeway.....
$100 at one and $125 at the other, 3 bags full, but I bought 5 Steely Dan albums in one swoop. I had AJA when it came out. Incredible album. Tat was first on the new Rega

Posted on: 23 August 2011 by Dave J

Just received a Back to Black copy of Aja and it's utterly fantastic; far far better than my ABC copy. What's more it was a bargain at just £15.95 from Sister Rays.

Posted on: 23 August 2011 by GraemeH

Originally Posted by pcstockton:

Its not vinyl.... but the MCA-Canada (Steve Hoffman) CD pressing of Aja is spectacular.

As, is Katy Lied - Japan MCAD-37043 also Hoffman.

-Patrick

The whole MCLD orgiginal CD releases are very good indeed but the Hoffman Aja is a peach. I'll just go and put it on now.....

Posted on: 23 August 2011 by The Strat (Fender)

I have Japanese vinyl of Aja and Gaucho - both superb.

Posted on: 23 August 2011 by Gale 401

Originally Posted by J.N.:

Stu