Aretha Franklin celebrated her 70th birthday this weekend and took the decision to reunite with her former mentor, record executive Clive Davis, for a new album.
During the soul star's party in New York on Saturday night, Franklin announced in a brief interview that she had signed a new contract with Sony Music Entertainment, where Davis serves as Chief Creative Officer. Davis originally signed Franklin to Arista Records during her career slump in the Eighties, a decision that caused Franklin's career to be reinvigorated and helped to define his.
Their partnership during the Eighties yielded a number of hit albums including 1980's Aretha, 1982's Jump to It and 1985's Who's Zoomin Who?
The pair are set to meet in the next month to talk over material to include on the new album, so watch this space.