I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You - Aretha Franklin (1967)

Ideated from: a Black History Month reminder that black artists largely built the modern world of music

Franklin had been around a while by the late 60s, but in retrospect it’s clear that she hadn’t been able to do what she really wanted. Her work for Columbia records was good, but they were pop records rather than the R&B and Soul that she was basically born for.

She switched to Atlantic for this record, worked with Atlantic principal Jerry Wexler (the guy who literally invented the term “Rhythm & Blues”), and recorded with the crack band at Muscle Shoals to make a stone cold classic record.

Tracks I Liked

Respect - people might tell you it’s one of the best records ever made, and I wouldn’t argue.

I Never Loved A Man… - Wexler also produced Dusty Springfield, with a similar sound, but that voice tho

Good Times - a little of her old gospel flavor added to the soul