ARETHA FRANKLIN – JUST A MATTER OF TIME

Whenever the radio revisits Aretha Franklin, the first thing we’ll hear is R.E.S.P.E.C.T, and with good reason – she was a main-stream pop idol who managed to capture every-one’s hearts in the mid-60’s with a healthy dose of musical arrogance – she was woman, hear her roar. But with this collection, we’re hearing the not-oft explored younger Aretha, where her repertoire consisted of the breezily sentimental – It’s So Heartbreakin’ – and the downright sugar-coated mega-hits – The Shoop Shoop Song. Mostly these are the love songs,  the subject matter rarely shifting from either disappointment or elation for the opposite sex. But the majesty in Aretha’s caramel-thick voice and impressive note range, coupled with the jaw-dropping musicianship of the Memphis & New Orleans session men who made up the musical backing, make these recordings just so many cuts above the rest of the girl-group singers who went solo. The sequencing, presentation and sound quality are all top-notch, making this an excellent and fresh compilation. Aretha was a woman on a mission, and she started by working this Columbia pop machine for all it was worth, with unmatched style and grace.

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