Kent 072 - Barbara Acklin - Groovy Ideas (1987) LP Only Release - Rare Soul (FLAC 317MB)

REPOST/UPGRADE from the old blog...After all these years still no CD release for this amazing album from Kent, one of the best to ever come out of The brunswick label in Chicago. Nearly every track was played on the northern scene and beyond from a lady with a voice to die for. barbara only recorded 6 albums & going on for 40 x 45,s but boy did she leave a great lagacy still today! Barbara Acklin was born in Oakland,California in 1943& passed in Nebraska in 1998. She became an established songwriter, along with Eugene Record of the Chi-Lites, as well as being a first rate performer in her own right. Barbara was an only child and when she was 5 years old, the family relocated to Chicago, Illinois. She began singing in the church choir at the Big Zion Baptist Church in her early years. As a teenager she began singing in nightclubs & after she had graduated, Barbara was hired as a secretary for local label St. Lawrence Records by her cousin, producer / saxophonist Monk Higgins. Monk recorded a single on Barbara, under the name Barbara Allen for his Special Agent label. Monk later utilised Barbara as a background singer on his Chess Records sessions with artists including Etta James and Fontella Bass. In 1966, she began working as a receptionist for producer Carl Davis (Chi-Lites, Gene Chandler) at the Chicago branch office of Brunswick Records. At the label she met Jackie Wilson, and asked him to listen to a tune that she had co-written with David Scott (formerly of the Five Du-Tones and the Exciters) Jackie liked the song and passed it on to Davis. Recorded in August 1966 (and released September 1966), 'Whispers (Gettin' Louder)' went to number six R & B and number 11 pop in the autumn of 1966. The album, 'Whispers', was released shortly afterward, rejuvenating his career and paving the way for his only number one R & B single '(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher.' Jackie helped Barbara in landing a recording contract with Brunswick Records & the rest is history in a glittering career.

AMM 

                                                                             Courtesy Of Moxysoulandjazz...Thx M8!

                                                                                                          The Tasters!