I purchased this cd for the bonus mixes/versions...the acappellas were recorded from vinyl!!!! WHAT?!?! The Record Label doesn't have the digital MASTERS from 1985...and for such a world renowned artist?!!? There is no mention that these mixes (and more?) were recorded from vinyl...yet here they are, especially Who's Zoomin Who, FULL of pops and hiss and background noise.

I've heard vinyl copies on the internet that were digitially cleaned FAR BETTER than this cd. There was ZERO attempt at cleaning up Who's Zoomin' Who (Acappella).

DO NOT BUY!!!!

Much has been said of Aretha's somewhat disappointing post-Atlantic label output, when she left for Arista Records. This CD proves that notion wrong. The "Queen" sounds invigorated, sassy and in great voice on this outing. Like one of the songs, "Freeway of Love", she really steps on pedal in her pink Cadillac and ZOOMS her vocals. Compared with her other Arista CD's, she has rarely sounded better than on this recording. Of course having some great songs help too. There are the hits "Who's Zoomin Who" "Another Night" and the aforementioned.

But it is her rendition of "Sweet Bitter Love" that knocks the ball out of the park on a homerun. This is an old chestnut she recorded at Columbia Records in the mid-60s (pre-Atlantic days). She draws every emotional note from this blues-tinged song, it's almost like going to church, but Aretha is singing to hold on to an unfaithful lover. I wish she would do more songs in this vein, where she goes all out vocally. There's enough variety here to please almost any Aretha fan, the dance-floor hits and the gospel-flavored slow jams. She gets plenty of support from guests such as Annie Lennox, who only enhance this memorable CD. Producer Michael Narada should be credited with adding enough funk and juiced arrangements that don't get in the way of Aretha's remarkable vocals.

Why can't Aretha put out another one like this? "Who's Zoomin' Who" is one of the great sassy love tunes of all time; and "Freeway of Love" is a highlight of '80s disco!! More please Aretha - what CAN'T you do??

1985 was the year of ms. franklin, great album and great sales/airplay.

This product is the proof that an album can be really multi-layered as the artist recording it: just listen to aretha's voice weave with eurythmics' annie lennox on SISTERS ARE DOIN IT FOR THEMSELVES and get on the rock side with the santana co-played track PUSH, get some tropical party feeling with AIN'T NOBODY EVER LOVED YOU, stomp on the dancefloor with the title-track and get the meaning of soul music thru INTEGRITY. Though the besvt track of this collection is ANOTHER NIGHT...the Queen of Soul desrves this title after such an album!

The 1980's. When the Music Video ruled the Airwaves. Aretha Franklin, who was affectionately called the Queen of soul, was still in her musical prime, produced this fantastic album. 'Freeway of Love' was a big hit, and the duet with the Eurythmics 'Sisters Are Doin It For Themselves' was featured in the movie The First Wives Club'. A must have CD for any fan of of the First lady of Soul. The Video for "Freeway Of Love" is still available on YouTube and iTunes.