All anyone needs to know about Aretha Franklin’s soundtrack to Sparkle is written on the bottom of the poster for this 1976 rags-to-riches story: “Featuring the sensational music of Curtis Mayfield.” Mayfield, who had achieved success in the 1960s as part of the Chicago soul group The Impressions, had established himself as not just a great songwriter and performer, but also a first-rate film composer with his work on the 1972 blaxploitation crime drama Superfly. Sparkle is a musical drama set in Harlem during the early 1960s, one that tells the story of three sisters who form a singing group and pursue stardom. It was loosely based on the story of The Supremes, and featured a cast of largely unknown newcomers (Irene Cara, still years away from Fame, played Sparkle, the lead singer). The cast sang Mayfield’s songs on the big screen, but Mayfield wanted a more experienced singer on the official soundtrack—which is how Franklin came aboard. Sparkle is her most cohesive album, with songs covering the kinds of topics to which the singer could easily relate: family, love, betrayal, drugs, the music business. On her studio albums, Franklin essentially functioned as an uncredited co-producer, showing up to the studio with songs arrangements already prepared—and with scratch vocals sometimes recorded. By comparison, making Sparkle was a vacation. She was working with Mayfield—whom she respected and trusted—and you can hear how comfortable and relaxed she is throughout the album, which mixes pop, gospel, and jazz. The result was a win for all: Sparklegave Franklin a much-needed boost after a handful of disappointments, and pushed her into the next phase of her work.