Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 100 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time, representing a varied cross-section of films and musical genres. Click “Next Soundtrack” below to explore each soundtrack in the list or for easier navigation, view the full introduction & soundtrack index here.
Sparkle
Atlantic (1976)
Selected by Justin Chadwick
No matter that Aretha Franklin’s versions of the eight songs that comprise the Sparkle soundtrack—originally sung by Irene Cara—were never actually featured in the film. Pairing the Queen of Soul with musical visionary Curtis Mayfield—who wrote and produced all of these compositions—proved to be a savvy and ultimately rewarding move.
On the strength of memorable fare like “Something He Can Feel,” “Hooked on Your Love” and the theme song “Sparkle,” Sparkle reinvigorated Franklin’s commercial might following the lackluster performance of With Everything I Feel in Me (1974) and You (1975), while giving Mayfield yet another gem in his string of 1970s soundtracks alongside Super Fly (1972), Claudine (1974) and Let’s Do It Again (1975).
“I’d personally like to think that Sparkle succeeded most profoundly on the basis of its rich musical and cultural value,” Brandon Ousley reflected in his 40th Anniversary tribute to Sparkle back in 2016. “Mayfield and Franklin relied on the authenticity of the black gospel vision to create an indispensable masterpiece of deep gospel-rooted soul for generations to come.”
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