Sparkle

This film soundtrack produced by Curtis Mayfield is perhaps a little overlooked in Aretha’s back catalogue but it definitely deserves some attention. It was a mid-decade return to form for the Queen of Soul and the biggest hit from the album, ‘Something He Can Feel,’ stands up to any ‘peak-Aretha’ material from the previous decade. Sparkle benefits from Mayfield’s elegant songs and classy arrangements, Aretha sounds in fine form and the whole thing is a pleasure from start to finish.