Aretha Franklin plans to release first of two albums in June
(CBS News) At 70, Aretha Franklin has no plans to slow down. In fact, The Queen of Soul has not one - but two -- projects in the works.
"I am working on two new CDs," Franklin revealed to CBSNews.com at the TV Land Awards on Saturday in New York, where she took home the music icon award. "One of them should be out by June."
Pictures: TV Land Awards 2012Pictures: Aretha Franklin
She added, "We've got the hottest new producers coming in writing, and it's going to be better than it's ever been."
Franklin is also working with longtime producer and music mentor Clive Davis on new material.
Asked which young artists she likes these days, Franklin said, "Fantasia is very good. Jennifer Hudson -- some of the things she does I like. Ne-Yo -- I love his writing."
And it's clear, the veteran songstress stays on top of the latest in television music competitions: Take note "American Idol," "The Voice" and "The X Factor."
"I don't understand why some of these girls who really really can sing are not asked to be judges," she said about the growing talent show competitions. "That's not to say Britney Spears is not good, or that Jennifer Lopez is not good. But ask some of the other girls, too. Like Patti [LaBelle], like Gladys [Knight], like myself. Come on!"