BARBARA ACKLIN
Barbara Jean Acklin, a soul singer and songwriter born in Oakland, California, rose to prominence during the 1960s and 1970s. Her recording debut came under the alias Barbara Allen on the Special Agent label, a subsidiary imprint, with production handled by her cousin, renowned producer and saxophonist Monk Higgins. Acklin also lent her voice as a backing singer at Chess Records, contributing to sessions for artists like Fontella Bass, Etta James, and Koko Taylor, many of which were produced by Higgins. Her breakthrough as a solo artist came with the 1968 hit Love Makes A Woman, a soulful anthem co-written and produced by Carl Davis and Eugene Booker Record, lead vocalist of the Chi-Lites. Additional songwriting credits included arranger William Nelson Sanders and guitarist Gerald Marvin Sims. Released on the Brunswick label, the single climbed to No. 3 on the R&B chart and No. 15 on the US pop chart, earning a BMI award for its success. Acklin’s legacy as a songwriter was further cemented with the Chi-Lites’ 1971 hit Have You Seen Her.