Jennifer Hudson [2021] - Respect (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Epic] (Full Album)

Having already pre-released three singles prior to the official release of the "Respect" soundtrack and the movie, the full album (and movie in US) was released on Friday 13 Aug 2021.

Columbia has confirmed that the movie is to be released in UK cinemas on 10 Sep 2021.

I have to say that I'm rather disappointed with the album, but then anyone trying to emulate the great Ree Ree, who as far as I'm concerned is probably the finest vocalist of all time, as good a singer as Jennifer Hudson is, is a tall order, as she was a unique talent, possibly never to be equalled. It's not so much JHud's vocals as much as the instrumentation which just doesn't sound authentic to my ears!

There is only one original (i.e. non Aretha track) on the album "Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)", which was the first track to be released from the album (18 Jun), but a new video for it was published to coincide with the film's launch on Friday.

On another note it seems odd that it's cheaper to buy the CD (£9.99) rather than the digital (£10.99)! I double-checked thinking perhaps the CD didn't contain the full 18 tracks but it does! Vinyl hounds will have to fork out £24.99.

According to the BBC, Jennifer Hudson has received praise for her performance but the film itself has received mixed reviews and has rating of 7/10 currently in IMDB and 63% on Rotten Tomatoes

A few reviews:

BBC: "Jennifer Hudson earns praise for Aretha Franklin biopic"

The Guardian: "Jennifer Hudson tries her best with a disappointingly rote retread through cliches of a well-worn genre"

Rolling Stone: "Aretha’s Music Carries This Biopic"

Full Circle: "A Frustratingly Formulaic Biopic”"

ScreenRant: "Aretha Franklin Deserved Better Than A Surface-Level Biopic"

I completely agree with the last statement if all reviews are to be believed. Surely the undisputed Queen of Soul deserves better than this?

Not many reviews I've found are particularly favourable. So perhaps save your 'hard earned' and don't rush to the cinema to view it and wait for it on free streaming services!

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Details

Rating:	7.4
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album/Soundtrack
Media:	Digital/CD/LP
Label:	Epic
Cat No:	None
Date:	13/08/2021
Value:	£10.99 / £9.99 / £24.99