"Aretha aligns herself to the "black is beautiful" movement on 1972's "Young, Gifted And Black", her most political album. The title track is a cover of Nina Simone's civil rights anthem and becomes a joyous hymnal ... On "Rock Steady", a US number 9 pop hit, she gets funky with Dr John, The Memphis Horns and Bernard Purdie; "Day Dreaming", a sensual, sun-kissed ode, features flautist Hubert Laws; her sisters Erma and Carolyn cloak The Beatles' "The Long And Winding Road" in delicious gospel harmonies".