Barbara Jean English
American soul and disco singer, Barbara Jean English (born August 22, 1946), is known for her lushly produced sensual ballads and contributions to the Northern Soul and Hi-NRG scenes
English began her career in New Jersey as a member of several vocal groups, including The Avalons, The Gospelettes, The Ding Dongs, and The Rinky Dinks. She gained prominence as the lead singer of the popular New Jersey girl group The Clickettes in the late 1950s and 1960s, recording numerous pop-soul tracks. In the early 1960s, she recorded briefly as Barbara English and The Fashions.
She officially went solo in 1964 and released five singles under the name Barbara English for various labels, including Warner Bros. and Reprise. English returned to the spotlight in the 1970s, releasing two acclaimed albums of "lushly produced soul" with a focus on sensual ballads on producer George Kerr’s Althia label.
In the late 1970s, she transitioned into the disco and Hi-NRG scenes, establishing herself as a dance music diva. Her song "I'm Living A Lie" became a staple of Northern Soul compilations. Other career highlights include covers of "Don't Make Me Over" and "Love Story".
After a hiatus, she re-teamed with The Clickettes in the 1990s to tour the oldies circuit. She appeared as a guest on Soul Train in 1973 and was featured in the 2020 documentary Streetlight Harmonies, which explores the history of doo-wop and vocal harmony.
Her work is still celebrated within the soul and dance music communities for its vocal power and sophisticated production.
Barbara Jean English
English is praised for her powerful delivery and five-octave range, effectively shifting from desperate lamentation to anthems of self-awareness and pride.
The album features heavy orchestration—layering soulful grooves with shimmering strings, punchy horns, and tasteful arrangements that balance "smooth" and "funky".
Key Track Highlights:
"If It Feels This Good": Often cited as a standout for its polished, smooth soul delivery.
"All This": A heartbreaking, "achingly beautiful" ballad described as having a sober and haunting orchestration.
"Just Like a Lady": An upbeat anthem featuring prominent, soulful piano work.
"Don't Make Me Over": A classy, soul-infused cover of the Bacharach/David classic originally popularized by Dionne Warwick.
"Experience": A track frequently highlighted for its sophisticated, mature arrangement.
While her 1972 debut, So Many Ways..., leaned more into "Smooth Soul," this 1973 self-titled follow-up is regarded as one of the most significant "hard-soul" albums of the decade.
The album maintains a high reputation among collectors, with a 4.5/5 rating on community platforms like Discogs. Long considered a rare vinyl find, it was eventually remastered and released in digital and CD formats.