ARETHA FRANKLIN/I NEVER LOVED A MAN THE WAY I LOVE YOU SD3189 (-67) US

  Her first LP after leaving Columbia, for which she had recorded nine albums 1961-67. Even if selling ok most didn't answer to the label's expectations and she actually ended up owing the company money, which was one of the reasons she decided to move to Atlantic. This was her debute for the label and also the starting point for one of the more legendary soul carreers. Recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York and Fame studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, it came in a for her then new and most fitting dress. It was an instant success in US, reaching #2 on Billboard while the spawned 45s - the Otis Redding cover "Respect" and the Ronnie Shannon penned "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Loved You)" - got to #2 and #9. Listening today it's evident the magic still remains after all those years. Apart from enjoying the up-tempo soul classics "Respect", "Good Times" and "Save Me" you can aslo dive deep down in sincere ballads like "Drown In My Own Tears" and "Soul Serenade". To my taste this is good all the way through, fitting for close listening as well as background and party music. Guess all die-hard soul lovers have access to it in some form already, but if You are one and for some reason missed it I've added songs below for your pleasure. Issued and reissued on all possible formats through the years. UK on Atlantic (587 066). Japan 2008 CD on Atlantic (WPCR-75440) had three bonus tracks. Premiere US came in both stereo and mono (8139). First stereo had label as shown here in a laminated stickered cover.  (YZÄ*)  (FÄV*)