Young, gifted and black

"It's nearly impossible to single out any of Aretha Franklin's early-'70s albums for Atlantic as being her best, particularly given the breadth of her output during this era. In terms of albums rather than singles, it's probably her strongest era, and if you count live albums like Amazing Grace, choosing a standout or a favorite record isn't any easier ... So even if this isn't the greatest Aretha Franklin album of the early '70s, it's certainly a contender, the sort of album that you can't go wrong with".

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"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".

"This is one of Aretha's finest albums from her second flowering at Atlantic, and it gave her the confidence to record her classic "Amazing Grace". Impeccable songs, magical bands, profound soul singing".