BARBARA ACKLIN – The Complete Barbara Acklin On Brunswick Records (2004) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Favoring a supple, sophisticated approach quite distinct from the grittier sound of her Chicago rivals, soul diva Barbara Acklin cut some of the finest records to come out of the Windy City in the late '60s, most notably "Love Makes a Woman" and "Am I the Same Girl." She also cut her fair share of overbaked dross, which renders The Complete Barbara Acklin on Brunswick Records such a generous but frustrating listen. Assembling all five of the LPs Acklin cut for Brunswick between 1968 and 1973 -- an output totaling 45 songs -- the set offers the kind of all-inclusive, respectful treatment rarely afforded to artists of Acklin's limited commercial stature, but given the abundance of inferior material, listeners without completist impulses will be far better served by more focused best-of collections. That said, diligent listeners will find some classic performances outside of the familiar hits, most of them originating from the pen of the Chi-Lites' Eugene Record, whose nuanced melodies and sublime arrangements (in particular the transcendent "Here Is a Heart") fit Acklin's soulful vocals like a glove. Jason Ankeny
Tracklist :
Love Makes A Woman
1-1 What The World Needs Now Is Love 2:26
1-2 The Look Of Love 2:23
1-3 The Old Matchmaker 2:54
1-4 Come And See Me Baby 2:57
1-5 I've Got You Baby 2:14
1-6 Love Makes A Woman 2:57
1-7 Please Sunrise, Please 2:50
1-8 Your Sweet Loving 2:37
1-9 Yes I See The Love (I Missed) 2:34
1-10 To Sir, With Love 2:23
1-11 Be By My Side 2:37
Bonus Track
1-12 Fool, Fool, Fool (Look In The Mirror) 2:41

Seven Days Of Night
1-13 A Raggedy Ride 2:36
1-14 Go With Love 2:15
1-15 Seven Days Of Night 2:43
1-16 Just Ain't No Love 2:48
1-17 Where Would I Go 2:42
1-18 Am I The Same Girl 3:02
1-19 Until You Return 3:08
1-20 This Girl's In Love With You 4:26
1-21 Here Is A Heart 2:41
1-22 Mr. Sunshine (Where Is My Shadow) 2:38
1-23 Love Had Come To Stay 3:05

Someone Else's Arms
2-1 Someone Else's Arms
2-2 After You
2-3 Is It Me
2-4 Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)
2-5 What's It Gonna Be
2-6 More (Theme From "Mondo Cane")
2-7 He's Just A Little Guy
2-8 More Today Than Yesterday
2-9 Spinning Wheel
2-10 More Ways Than One
2-11 You've Been In Love Too Long

I Did It
2-12 I Did It
2-13 I Can't Do My Thing
2-14 I'm Living With A Memory
2-15 Make The Man Love You

I Call It Trouble
2-16 I'll Make Me A Man
2-17 I Call It Trouble
2-18 Lady Lady Lady
2-19 Portrait Of A Broken Heart
2-20 Stop, Look And Listen (To Your Heart)
2-21 It's A Groovy Idea
- BONUS TRACKS -
2-22  Love You Are Mine Today