AJA

One of the previous reviewers was wondering if it was appropriate to classify Aja as pop. I guess it is, in a broad sense, and as long as there is no condescending undertone to it.

Or, to be more accurate, you could call it smooth jazz-funk-pop. Elegant. Predictable. Reliable soul sound. Unobtrusive; perfect for the summer evening moods and nostalgic 1970's radio waves. The musicianship is quite competent and precise. A tad similar to AWB in their pre-disco period.

A friendly warning and a disclaimer: Aja is definitely not by- or for the people who thrive on restless, hazardous, creative chaos of the intense fusion a-la Mahavishnu Orchestra.

One might ask, how can one shift from the red-meat daily staple of late PT, KC and - more recently - Bacamarte to the Splenda-sweetened souffle of Aja. Varietas delectat, I guess?

One way in which Aja is said to be distinct from similar bands is their attention to detail in sound engineering. Frankly, having listened to Aja a few times, I couldn't find a wow-grade stroke of a genius in the mixing and mastering, but still it's a pretty well made album.