[9][10] The film's executive music producer, Stephen Bray, said in an interview to Billboard, stating that "From the beginning, the agreement was, ‘Let’s time travel to the degree we can in terms of recreating these iconic sessions for songs like ‘I Never Loved a Man” and “Respect’ and ‘Ain’t No Way.’ Let’s do the best we can at making it look and sound exactly like it may have back in 1967 or ’68.’ Super music nerd that I am, I had the time of my life.

[11] While the singing was done live on sets, the instrumentation process happened remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, where all musicians had to record in their own homes.

"[14] BroadwayWorld's Courtney Savoia wrote "This soundtrack wonderfully succeeds at bringing the music of Aretha Franklin to new generations through the incredibly talented, Jennifer Hudson.

"[15] Writing for AllMusic, Andy Kellman said "Lesser singers would likely attempt imitation and undoubtedly fall short.

Instead, the powerhouse seems to glean her own past as much as that of her subject, and though she nails some of the queen's mannerisms and inflections—especially when the material calls for elation and assertion her voice remains singular.

Performances of three songs from the outstanding live gospel album Amazing Grace (1972) don't have the same sense of urgency, and the crowd noise on "Respect" is jarringly disconnected.

Hudson, whose recordings since JHUD (2014) have been scattered in terms of purpose, style, and quality, hasn't sounded this inspired in some time.

"[1] The Musical Hype gave 4 out of 5 to the soundtrack, saying "Covering an untouchable icon is a tall task, even for a singer as gifted as Jennifer Hudson.