Greatest Hits 1980-94

When Aretha Franklin signed with Arista Records, marking the end of the 13-year tenure at Atlantic that saw her transform both her own art and the face of soul music itself, she was at loose ends. Even when she scored hits for the new label, they were often the result of casting about for a commercial foothold in the post-disco marketplace rather than the savvy combination of pure artistry and smart trend-watching of her greatest Atlantic moments. Thus, the tracks collected on Greatest Hits (1980-1994) are hardly her most essential; "Jump to It" and "Freeway of Love" are fun, but "Jimmy Lee" and the George Michael duet "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" reflect fairly dull accommodations with '80s pop conventions. --Rickey Wright