"Aretha" is a studio album by American singer and songwriter Aretha Franklin, released in 1980 by Arista Records. It marks her second release under this label, and serves as a notable shift in her musical approach, incorporating more disco and contemporary pop production values.
The album features two hit singles, "United Together" and "I Can't Turn You Loose", which peaked at #1 and #38 respectively on the Billboard Dance Singles charts. Other prominent tracks include "What a Fool Believes" and a cover of Sam & Dave's soul classic "Hold On, I'm Comin'". The album proved to be a commercial success, peaking at #6 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart and #47 on the Billboard 200.
In terms of production, "Aretha" involved contributions from several prominent music producers and artists. The album was mainly produced by Chuck Jackson and Arif Mardin, with several songs produced by Aretha Franklin herself. It also featured guest appearances from prominent artists, including Sam & Dave and Merry Clayton.
Overall, "Aretha" (1980) marked a significant phase in Franklin's career, demonstrating her versatility as an artist and her ability to adapt to contemporary musical trends.
