Aretha Ritz

Franklin's Columbia years are hard to summarize in compilations, even fairly extensive ones such as this two-CD set, which includes six previously unreleased tracks and one previously unavailable alternate take among its 40 songs. In part that's because she explored several different styles during this era without really finding a home in any of them, in part that's because the quality of the recordings themselves were so erratic, and in part it's because Sony keeps putting out compilations that duplicate each other to a fair extent. About half the songs on this anthology, for instance, also appear on the most comprehensive previous Franklin/Columbia retrospective, Jazz to Soul. On its own merits, this is a fair summation of some of her more notable Columbia recordings, slightly more pop-oriented in its track selection than Jazz to Soul, and at least including something new in the handful of unissued numbers.

Her soulful, soaring voice has earned her mythic status. Now, in her own moving words, the woman behind the myth is revealed. The result is a captivating self-portrait of one of this century's most fascinating artists, an Aretha Franklin as real as the songs she sings.

Following on from the huge success of Ballroom Bonanza, Len returns with a brand new compilation in 2016, to feature his all-time favourite Crooners, Swooners and Big Band classics! This hand-picked compilation of songs in Len Goodman’s Crooners & Swooners is set to make anyone’s heart strings tingle and get toes tapping with the inclusion of tracks from Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Bette Midler, Etta James and Barry Manilow, being sure to get more than a ‘seven!’. Known to millions as the Head Judge of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, Len has sashayed his way to the top of the dance world. Beginning his dance life at the age of 21, he has gained years of vast knowledge and experience in Ballroom and Latin American dancing through teaching, competing and judging, making him a four-time British Champion. Len’s passion for dance and the music associated with it has been demonstrated in programmes made for BBC4 including Len Goodman’s Dance Band Days, Len Goodman’s Big Band Bonanza, Dancing Cheek to Cheek with Lucy Worsley and Dancing in the Blitz with Jools Holland and Lucy Worsley. Len has also appeared on BBC Radio 2 presenting his favourite music including some of the music featured in Strictly, those that influenced his life and include a variety of styles from Jazz to American Songbook to Pop.

Greatest Ever! Electric Eighties is a budget three-CD compilation that features 59 tracks from the 1980s. The bulk of the collection falls a little left of the dial, and highlights synth pop and new wave along with instrumental keyboard standards like Herbie Hancock's "Rockit" and the themes from Beverly Hills Cop ("Axel F") and Miami Vice ("Crockett’s Theme"). Much of the collection pools from the big-hooked pop music of one-hit wonders, such as the Waitresses' "I Know What Boys Like," the Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star," Animotion's "Obsession," Dead or Alive's "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)," and Taco's "Puttin' on the Ritz." As eclectic as music was in the '80s, this set does a nice job of pulling it all together into a solid anthology where the synthesizer takes priority.

VA - Magic Moments: The 94 Most Unforgettable Classics Ever, a Various Artists Compilation. Released 2002 on Compact Disc Club.

20 CD Box Set. All Original Recordings from the 60s, 70s, 80s. Released by BMG in 1995.

5CD Box set. American Popular Song: Six Decades Of Songwriters And Singers, a Various Artists Compilation. Released in 1984 on Smithsonian Collection.