On September 6, 1979, “Atlantic” label released “La Diva”, the twenty-fifth Aretha Franklin studio album. It was recorded February – May 1979, at “Penny Lane Studios” in New York City, “Record Plant” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Aretha Franklin, Van McCoy, Skip Scarborough and Charles Kipps.

Personnel:

• Aretha Franklin – lead and backing vocals, rhythm arrangements
• Jack Cavari, Cornell Dupree, Tom Hanlon – guitar
• Van McCoy – keyboards, backing vocals, rhythm arrangements
• Kenneth Ascher, Richard Tee, Paul Griffin – keyboards
• Ken Bichel – synthesizer, orchestra bells
• Brian Aslop, Gordon Edwards – bass guitar
• Chris Parker – drums
• Errol “Crusher” Bennett, George Devens – percussion
• Richard Gibbs – rhythm arrangements
• Arthur Jenkins – rhythm arrangements
• Skip Scarborough – rhythm arrangements
• Zulema Cusseaux – rhythm arrangements, backing vocals
• Gene Orloff – conductor
• Albert Bailey – backing vocals
• Sharon Brown – backing vocals
• Diane Destry – backing vocals
• Carolyn Franklin – backing vocals
• Richard Harris – backing vocals
• Brenda Hilliard – backing vocals
• Jerome Jackson – backing vocals
• Pete Marshall – backing vocals
• Pat Williamson – backing vocals
• Lee Decarlo, Alan Varner – engineer
• Rick Delana, Brian Marine, John Terrell – engineer assistant
• George Piros – mastering

Track listing:

1. Ladies Only – Aretha Franklin
2. It’s Gonna Get a Bit Better – Lalome Washburn
3. What If I Should Ever Need You – Charles H. Kipps
4. Honey I Need Your Love – Aretha Franklin
5. I Was Made for You – Clarence Franklin
6. Only Star – Aretha Franklin
7. Reasons Why – Skip Scarborough, Wanda Hutchinson, Wayne Vaughan
8. You Brought Me Back to Life – Van McCoy
9. Half a Love – Zulema Cusseaux
10. The Feeling – Van McCoy