Aretha Franklin

The instrumental tracks Curtis Mayfield produces at his Curtom Studio in Chicago always
sound a little contrived. There's a swirling harp every time you turn around, the
syncopated horn figures lie just so against the bass and drums, and there is often a surfeit
of trebly percussion instruments like bells, chimes and cymbals. But Mayfield understands
the gospel roots of the most powerful black pop vocalists as well as, if not better... More >

Aretha vamping over competent-plus Curtis Mayfield tracks is sexy at worst, mixing rhythmic and emotional frisson, soul product as it should be, albeit deplorably post-verbal. Good late-night listening, I suppose--but not as good as Spirit in the Dark, or Super Fly. (Grade: B)