Aretha Franklin - Aretha's Best

Rhino's Aretha's Best is notable for attempting to squeeze highlights of every era of Aretha's career onto one disc. Unfortunately, the compilers threw logic and chronology out the window, preferring to vacillate between classic Atlantic recordings and very good latter-day Arista recordings. There are certainly some great performances missing, but this pretty much hits the majority of the big numbers, from "Respect" to "Freeway of Love." Unfortunately though, it does this within the course of three songs, which gives the compilation no grounding whatsoever. But if you're looking for just the basics -- just the basic hits without any rhyme or reason to the presentation -- this will suit your needs. The compilation would have been close to essential, however, if it had just made some sense. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Amy Utstein Project Assistant Bill Inglot Producer, Remastering Dan Hersch Remastering Daniel Goldmark Editorial Research David Gorman Compilation David McLees Compilation Garson Foos Project Assistant George Michael Performer Greg Allen Art Direction, Design Lori Carfora Art Direction, Design Patrick Milligan Project Supervisor Quincy Newell Project Assistant Randy Perry Project Assistant Shawn Amos Editorial Coordinator Sheryl Farber Editorial Supervision Steve Woolard Discographical Annotation