Aretha Franklin is delighted to be working on new music after recovering from an undisclosed illness.

The soul singer, 71, has been battling health issues since 2010 when she underwent surgery to remove a tumour. She has repeatedly cancelled shows throughout 2013 but denied rumours her medical problems are related to pancreatic cancer.

A slim-downed Franklin performed Etta James' At Last at a Detroit hotel on Wednesday (16Oct13) ahead of jetting to New York to attend a party held in designer Marc Jacobs' honour.

She tells the Detroit News her return to work has lifted her spirits, adding, "The side effects (of treatment) were rough. But I'm glad to be back in it!... I need a party after what I've been through. I spent most of the summer in bed. But everything is good now, good to go."