Franklin, Aretha - Aretha Franklin with the Ray Bryant Combo (Speakers Corner, 180 Gram) Patton

Franklin, Aretha - Aretha Franklin with the Ray Bryant Combo (Speakers Corner, 180 Gram) PattonAs is well known, early relationships are not always blessed, and it is certainly no secret that the collaboration between Aretha Franklin and Columbia's record producer John H. Hammond did not last long. Hammond's later attempts to candy Franklin's irrepressible natural voice with sugary arrangements and studio gimmicks did not go down well with the public. On the first Franklin disc from Columbia, however, it was honeymoon all the way. With a

and was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the United States and Canada

the inner reaches of the piano

Monk achieved a startlingly original sound that even his most devoted followers have been unable to successfully imitate

2 Killer Queen

to look towards where we are going

Their latest album adds new elements to the mix including the singing and songwriting debut of gifted bassist Shonna Tucker

” where the confession “I don’t know what I’m afraid of

” and “I Wanna Be Your Dog

is an elegantly balanced and deeply engaged effort that finds the group refreshed and firing on all cylinders

Lennie Gallant

4 You Are the Answer

A Day to Remember claim to have approached the writing process with no expectations and organically came up with their finest work to date