After recovering from an illness she has yet to publicly disclose, [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Aretha Franklin[/lastfm] is back to baring her soul. In fact, her new album Aretha: A Woman Falling Out Of Love is all-natural soul at its finest.

Franklin co-produced the album with veteran studio hand Michael Powell ([lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Anita Baker[/lastfm],[lastfm link_type="artist_info"] Patti LaBelle[/lastfm], [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Aaliyah[/lastfm]). It’s also the first release off Franklin’s own record label, Aretha’s Records.

The album features the sensuous debut single “How Long I’ve Been Waiting”; a righteously funky version of B.B. King’s “Sweet Sixteen”; a classic duet with [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Ronald Isley[/lastfm] titled “The Way We Were” as well as a spirited collaboration with[lastfm link_type="artist_info"] Karen Clark-Sheard[/lastfm] of the legendary [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Clark Sisters[/lastfm] on “Faithful.”

Without further ado, step inside the music. Aretha’s appeal is deeply and widely felt.

Download a free MP3 of Aretha Frankin’s “How Long I’ve Been Waiting” – available for 24 hours.

Get Aretha: A Woman Falling Out Of Love on iTunes