... LP, Vinyl record album

(Funky 45's, Gospel) 7-inch, Vinyl record

A legendary album – one that has Aretha Franklin returning to her roots in gospel music – but working with all the strength and power that Atlantic Records had to offer! From early years recording as a young voice alongside her father's congregation, Aretha has matured into a hell of a lead singer – and really knocks it out of the park here alongside the mighty James Cleveland, and the Southern California Community Choir! While it might have been nice to record the set back home in Detroit, the California setting for the material works perfectly to elevate Franklin to a special place in the heavens – tying together her heritage in beautiful ways, and making for another great stride forward in her career during the 70s. One of the best ideas ever for a soul music concept album – with titles that include "Mary Don't You Weep", "How I Got Over", "Precious Memories", "Wholy Holy", "Never Grow Old", "Amazing Grace", and Climbing Higher Mountains". This package really expands past the original album – and adds in all these other tracks recorded during the proceedings, which were done over the course of two different nights in November of 1972 – with a mighty set of long tracks that quadrupalizes the original double album! (Soul, Gospel) CD

A collection of earlier work by Aretha Franklin – issued by Chess after her fame on Atlantic, but featuring tunes cut when a younger woman, working with famous father Reverend CL Franklin! Given that CL was one of the biggest stars of Chess' gospel recordings, there was plenty of material recorded back in the day – and Aretha's heard here on some great live tunes that mostly just feature piano backings. Nice raw energy here – 9 tracks in all, including 'Precious Lord", "You Grow No Closer", "The Day Is Past And Gone" and "He Will Wash You White As Snow". (Soul, Gospel) LP, Vinyl record album

15 years' worth of recording from the Roberta Martin Singers – a groundbreaking gospel group from the postwar years, and one whose style helped set the tone for countless other acts to come! The group mixed male and female singers, but in a way that often still held to the smaller quintet or sextet formation – which means that there's lots of up-close harmony moments, and wonderful interplay between a spiritual lead and supporting singers – in styles that evolve nicely over the course of the many recordings in the set! As with other Fremeaux titles, there's a wealth of historical detail too – notes in both French and English – with 72 titles that include "Hold The Light", "Step In Jesus", "He's Using Me", "Saved", "Marching To Zion", "Precious Memories", "What A Friend", "Satisfied", "Oh Lord Stand By Me", "I'm Sealed", "Rock My Soul", "Back To The Fold", and lots lots more. CD