Aretha Franklin - Sparkle (1976) [1992]

Aretha Franklin's career was in a down period in the mid-'70s when she collaborated with Curtis Mayfield to sing his compositions for the film Sparkle. The film proved a non-event, but for Franklin it marked a return to glory. Once again she was the Queen of Soul, doing the chilling, spectacular leaps, cries, whoops, and shouts that defined secularized gospel in the late '60s. The title cut was a sizable hit, while "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" became an anthem. Mayfield's lyrics and production shouldn't be overlooked; he added just the right amount of background trappings, and the Kitty Haywood Singers provided Franklin's best continuing backgrounds since the Sweet Inspirations.~All Music Guide

Tracks:

1 Sparkle 4:13
2 Giving Him Something He Can Feel 6:21
3 Hooked On Your Love 5:00
4 Look Into Your Heart 4:04
5 I Get High 4:11
6 Jump 2:19
7 Loving You Baby 3:48
8 Rock With Me 3:11

Personnel:

Arranged By – Curtis Mayfield, Rich Tufo
Art Direction – Bob Defrin
Backing Vocals – Kitty Haywood Singers
Composed By, Producer, Written-By, Music By – Curtis Mayfield
Engineer – Roger Anfinsen
Horns – Lenard Druss
Liner Notes – David Nathan
Orchestrated By – Rich Tufo
Performer – Curtis, Donnell, Floyd, Gary, Henry, Lucky, Phil, Rich, Zab
Photography – Sam Emerson
Remastered By – Bill Inglot, Ken Perry
Strings – Sol Bobrov