Musicians :
Aretha Franklin (piano, electric piano Fender Rhodes, celesta, lead vocals), Cornell Dupree, Hugh McCracken (guitar), Don Arnone (acoustic guitar), Donny Hathaway (Hammond organ, electric piano Fender Rhodes), Billy Preston (Hammond organ), Chuck Rainey, Eric Gale (bass guitar), Robert Popwell (bass guitar, percussion), The Memphis Horns (horns), Neal Rosengarden (trumpet, vibraphone), Hubert Laws (flute), Pat Smith, Carolyn Franklin, Erma Franklin, Margaret Branch, Ann S. Clark, The Sweet Inspirations, Ronald Bright, J. R. Bailey, Sammy Turner (backing vocals), Dr. John (percussion), Bernard Purdie, Ray Lucas, Al Jackson Jr. (drums).

- Aretha Franklin "Young, Gifted and Black" !
- Analogue Productions (Atlantic 75 Series) !
- Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Atlantic Records !
- Features the chart-topping ballad "Day Dreaming" !
- 180 gram 45 RPM double LP !
- Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio from the original master tape !
- Pressed at Quality Record Pressings !
- Tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jacket by Stoughton Printing !

Released on Atlantic Records in 1972, Young, Gifted and Black is Aretha Franklin's acclaimed 18th studio album. The album was recorded between 1970 and 1971 at Atlantic Studios in New York City and Criteria Studios in Miami.

This is a beautiful album that perfectly mixes both sides of Aretha Franklin's talents the hard-edged soul singer who first flourished at Atlantic Records in the late '60s, and the artist who was growing even more as a vocalist really reaching out her wings to more sophisticated material! The record teams Franklin with some of the best musicians of the day, including Billy Preston, Donny Hathaway, and Bernard Purdie with backing vocals provided by Franklin's sisters, Carolyn and Erma, as well as The Sweet Inspirations.

There's a balance here that makes the record one of the deepest that Franklin ever recorded for Atlantic lots of larger Arif Mardin touches, but also some raw moments that really round things out on titles that include Aretha's classic take on the Weldon Irvine/Nina Simone tune "Young Gifted & Black", the funky classic "Rock Steady", the wonderful mellow groover "Day Dreaming", the hit "Brand New Me", and the strangely compelling "First Snow In Kokomo".

Lacquers cut by Kevin Gray/Cohearent Audio at 45 RPM, pressed on 180 gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings, and housed in a tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jacket by Stoughton Printing.