Album of the Day

I NEVER LOVED A MAN THE WAY I LOVE YOU wasn't Aretha Franklin's first album (she'd recorded ten of them for Columbia Records), but it was the first she'd cut with a label and producer that truly “got” her, and that made all the difference. Powered by the iconic single “Respect” – which went to No.1 on the U.S. chart on this day in 1967 - the Jerry Wexler-produced Atlantic release is a master class in soul whose 11 lessons also include “Do Right Woman-Do Right Man,” “Baby, Baby, Baby” and the title song. Aretha's force-of-nature vocals, songwriting skills (she penned four of the 11 tracks) and piano work shine throughout, justifying the set's frequent inclusion in “Greatest Albums of All Time” lists. With I NEVER LOVED A MAN THE WAY I LOVE YOU, the Queen of Soul earned her crown!