A Rose Is Still a Rose
| A Rose Is Still a Rose | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by Aretha Franklin | ||||
| Released | March 23, 1998 | |||
| Recorded | 1997-1998 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 51:38 | |||
| Label | Arista | |||
| Producer |
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| Aretha Franklin chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   |
| Robert Christgau | A |
| Entertainment Weekly | B+ |
| Rolling Stone | |
| The Source | Favorable |
| Vibe | Favorable |
A Rose is Still a Rose is the out of print thirty-seventh studio album by American recording artist Aretha Franklin. Released in March 1998, it resulted in the singer's most critically acclaimed and best-selling album of the 1990s. It was also her first Gold-certified studio album in twelve years and received two Grammy nominations - for "Best R&B Album" and "Best R&B Song" (for the title track "A Rose Is Still A Rose").
By 1997, Aretha Franklin hadn't recorded a studio album in six years following the release of 1991's ill-fated What You See Is What You Sweat. Franklin remained active, providing songs on film soundtracks, such as Malcolm X, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit and Waiting to Exhale. Franklin also released her first greatest-hits album of her Arista tenure in 1994, which included two new singles produced by Babyface, including the top 40 hit, "Willing to Forgive".
In the meantime, word came that Franklin was working with younger producers trying to re-connect with a new audience that was embracing neo soul and hip hop soul artists, such as Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu and The Fugees. When reports emerged that Franklin's new album would include Sean "Puffy" Combs, Jermaine Dupri and The Fugees' Lauryn Hill, there were mixed reactions from fans and critics unsure what to expect from the collaborations, as other attempts to modernize Franklin's classic soul sound produced mixed results – her last hit album was 1986's Aretha. ta
Prior to releasing the album's first single, Franklin made headlines for two stand-out performances at the Grammy Awards in February 1998.
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