Sparkle

About

All anyone needs to know about Aretha Franklin’s soundtrack to <i>Sparkle</i> is written on the bottom of the poster for this 1976 rags-to-riches story: “Featuring the sensational music of Curtis Mayfield.” Mayfield, who had achieved success in the 1960s as part of the Chicago soul group The Impressions, had established himself as not just a great songwriter and performer, but also a first-rate film composer with his work on the 1972 blaxploitation crime drama <i>Superfly</i>. <i>Sparkle</i> is a musical drama set in Harlem during the early 1960s, one that tells the story of three sisters who form a singing group and pursue stardom. It was loosely based on the story of The Supremes, and featured a cast of largely unknown newcomers (Irene Cara, still years away from <i>Fame</i>, played Sparkle, the lead singer). The cast sang Mayfield’s songs on the big screen, but Mayfield wanted a more experienced singer on the official soundtrack—which is how Franklin came aboard. <i>Sparkle</i> is her most cohesive album, with songs covering the kinds of topics to which the singer could easily relate: family, love, betrayal, drugs, the music business. On her studio albums, Franklin essentially functioned as an uncredited co-producer, showing up to the studio with songs arrangements already prepared—and with scratch vocals sometimes recorded. By comparison, making <i>Sparkle</i> was a vacation. She was working with Mayfield—whom she respected and trusted—and you can hear how comfortable and relaxed she is throughout the album, which mixes pop, gospel, and jazz. The result was a win for all: <i>Sparkle</i>gave Franklin a much-needed boost after a handful of disappointments, and pushed her into the next phase of her work.

via Apple Music