Album: Aretha

Introduction
"Aretha" is the 24th studio album by legendary American singer-songwriter, Aretha Franklin. Launched in 1980, the album marked a brand-new musical direction for the Queen of Soul. Co-produced by Chuck Jackson and Arif Mardin, "Aretha" was released under Clive Davis's Arista Records and featured collaborations with legendary songwriters and performers, such as Luther Vandross, Smokey Robinson, and David Foster. The album was taped in numerous studios across New York and Los Angeles.

"Aretha" embraces pop, R&B, and soul influences while maintaining the powerful gospel vocals that had actually identified her previous works. It produced three songs, "United Together", "Love All the Hurt Away", and "Come to Me", which were met commercial success and strengthened her reign as a dominant force in music.

Track Listing and Commercial Success
"Aretha" includes ten tracks and runs for 42 minutes:

1. "Come to Me" (Willard Eugene Price).
2. "Can't Turn You Loose" (Otis Redding).
3. "United Together" (Phil Perry, Chuck Jackson).
4. "Take Me with You" (Aretha Franklin, Glen Estes).
5. "Whatever It Is" (Sam Dees).
6. "What a Fool Believes" (Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins).
7. "Together Again" (Eric Mercury, William Smith).
8. "Love Me Forever" (Carolyn Mitchell).
9. "School Days" (Aretha Franklin).
10. "Love All the Hurt Away" (with George Benson) (Sam Dees).

Upon its release, the album debuted at No. 47 on the Billboard 200 chart, peaking at No. 32. It also enjoyed substantial success on the R&B Albums chart, where it reached No. 6. The album was licensed gold by the RIAA, having sold over 500,000 copies in the United States.

Of the 3 singles, "United Together" was the most successful, reaching No. 3 on the R&B Singles chart and No. 56 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Love All the Hurt Away", a duet with guitarist George Benson, peaked at No. 6 on the R&B Singles chart and No. 46 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Come to Me", the album's lead single, reached No. 14 on the R&B Singles chart.

Artistic Style and Musical Influence
The album showcases Aretha Franklin's varied vocal and musical range and her ability to adjust and experiment with different styles. "Aretha" is instilled with aspects of disco, funk, R&B, gospel, and pop. The production features lavish arrangements and musical accompaniment, including strings, horns, and synthesizers.

Tunes like "United Together", "Whatever It Is", and "Love All the Hurt Away" exemplify the album's soulful and emotive quality, while tracks like "Can't Turn You Loose" and "What a Fool Believes" expose funk and pop influences. Franklin co-wrote 2 tracks, "Take Me with You" and "School Days", incorporating styles of childhood nostalgia, love, and pleasure.

Crucial Reception
"Aretha" received blended to favorable evaluations from music critics. They praised Franklin's vocal expertise, the album's arrangements, and its stylistic flexibility. Nevertheless, some critics felt the album did not have cohesion, with a few of the songs not measuring up to Franklin's requirements. Regardless of the blended reception, "Aretha" has since been acknowledged as an important and prominent release in her storied profession, reaffirming her status as a music icon.

Conclusion
"Aretha" is a testament to Aretha Franklin's remarkable talent and the power of her voice and artistry. Showcasing her capability to shift and adjust musically, the album is a captivating mix of soul, pop, R&B, and gospel, and is a crucial entry in the legendary vocalist's discography. With its compelling variety, "Aretha" stands as a motivating and powerful work from one of the most prominent voices in music history.