The Queen of Soul is back with “What You See Is What You Sweat,” a nine-song album of mature R&B-pop. Aretha’s at her best when mining her gospel roots (“I Dreamed a Dream”) or cutting loose on uptempo tunes (“Mary Goes Round”). However, this LP seldom plays to her strengths, partly because seven producers are used (too many chefs).
But the bouncy “Doctor’s Orders,” with Luther Vandross, is a charmer.
GRADE: C
