Just the facts, Ma'am

I don't have a lot of time for posting this week so let's just get on with the music with a minimum of fuss.

The Singer: Barbara Acklin started in the business working as receptionist at Brunswick Records in Chicago. After writing the hit "Whispers (Getting Louder)" for Jackie Wilson she was given the chance to record herself. She cut a bunch of classic Chicago Soul tracks in late 60s/early 70s like "Love Makes A Woman" and "From The Teacher To The Preacher" with Gene Chandler. Later she co-wrote The Chi-Lites' classics "Have You Seen Her?" and "Stoned Out Of My Mind." She died in 1998.

The Music: "Just Ain't No Love" was a single from her 1968 album "Seven Days of Night." Probably my favourite record of hers, I love the intro with it's swaggering beat, boogie-woogie piano lick, and thick organ (ooh missus). "Am I The Same Girl?" comes from the same album and is the original of a song more famous for other versions of the tune. Acklin's wasn't a big hit because Brunswick held up her recording and instead released an instrumental version called "Soulful Strut" by The Young-Holt Trio. This was a monster hit selling over 2 million copies. Her version came out later and didn't do so good. If I was Barbara I'd be very pissed off with Brunswick. The song was later covered by Dusty Springfield and Swing Out Sister (not together of course).

Buy: Barbara Acklin: 20 Greatest Hits
The Complete Barbara Acklin on Brunswick Records

Enjoy:

[Download]
Just Ain't No Love - Barbara Acklin
Am I The Same Girl? - Barbara Acklin