Aretha (1980 album)

Aretha is the twenty-seventh studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin, released in 1980 by Arista Records. The album marked a significant stylistic shift for Franklin, incorporating more contemporary pop and disco elements into her established soul and R&B sound.

Production was handled primarily by Chuck Jackson and Arif Mardin, with additional tracks produced by Norman Connors and Van McCoy. The album features a diverse selection of songs, including covers and original compositions.

Notable tracks from Aretha include "United Together," "What a Fool Believes" (a cover of the Doobie Brothers hit), and "Come to Me." The album achieved moderate commercial success, reaching number 47 on the Billboard 200 chart and number 11 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. While not considered one of Franklin's defining albums, Aretha represents a period of experimentation and adaptation in her career, demonstrating her willingness to explore different musical styles.