Coming from gospel, Aretha Franklin brought to the jazz of the 50s, 60s and 70s this personal touch, this burning feminity around which a style is built: soul music. An essential link in 20th century American black music. Aretha Franklin's early recordings in their entirety include four original albums, two A-sides originally released as singles and two tracks not released at the time. Both CDs have been remastered with the greatest care. The 36 page booklet includes rare contemporary documents.