Sweet Passion

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Sweet Passion
Studio album by Aretha Franklin
Released	May 19, 1977
Recorded	1976–1977
Studios	ABC Recording Studios (Los Angeles, CA) Whitney Recording Studios (Glendale, CA)
Genres	R&B soul
Length	45:30
Label	Atlantic (#19102)
Producers	Aretha Franklin, Lamont Dozier, Marvin Hamlisch, Carole Bayer Sager
Aretha Franklin chronology
Sparkle (1976) Sweet Passion (1977) Almighty Fire (1978)
Singles from Sweet Passion
"Break It To Me Gently" Released: April 1977

Sweet Passion is the twenty-third studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin. It was released on May 19, 1977, by Atlantic Records. Following Franklin's Gold-certified 1976 soundtrack album, Sparkle, she paired up with Motown producer Lamont Dozier to produce Sweet Passion. It was, however, a commercial and critical failure.

The album's lead single, "Break It To Me Gently", topped the Billboard R&B chart but peaked at No. 85 on the Hot 100 and dropped off the chart after two weeks.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Christgau's Record Guide	C+
The Rolling Stone Album Guide

The Bay State Banner noted that "her voice seems to free itself, even during the most stilted and contrived show tunes, stronger and lots weightier than Natalie Cole's cheery mimicry."

Track listing

Personnel

• Aretha Franklin – vocals, keyboards (5, 9, 10)
• H. B. Barnum – rhythm arrangements (2, 3, 5, 8–10), horn arrangements (2, 3, 5, 8–10), string arrangements (2, 3, 5, 8, 10), keyboards (5)
• Ray Brown – bass guitar (3, 8, 9)
• Sonny Burke – keyboards (2, 3, 4, 6, 7)
• Joe Clayton – congas (1), percussion (5)
• Gary Coleman – percussion (2, 4, 6, 7, 10)
• Ronald Coleman – keyboards (2, 4, 6, 7)
• Lamont Dozier – rhythm arrangements (4, 7)
• Scott Edwards – bass guitar (2, 4, 6, 7, 10)
• James Gadson – drums (2, 4, 6, 7, 10)
• McKinley Jackson – rhythm arrangements (4, 6, 7), horn arrangements (6)
• Harold Mason – drums (1, 3, 5, 8, 9)
• Craig McMillian – guitar (3, 8, 9)
• Mike Morgan – guitar (3, 8, 9)
• Gene Page – horn and string arrangements (4, 7)
• David Paich – keyboards (1)
• Ray Parker Jr. – guitar (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10)
• Chuck Rainey – bass guitar (1, 5)
• Lee Ritenour – guitar (1, 4–6, 10)
• Sylvester Rivers – keyboards (1, 3, 8, 9)
• Bob Zimmitti – percussion (3, 8, 9)

References