El DeBarge

by El DeBarge

Overview

This is the first solo album from the talented writer/producer/singer El DeBarge. Released in 1986, the self-titled album was the expected next step. After recording four albums with his siblings, the success of the 1985 hit singles "Rhythm of the Night" and "Who's Holding Donna Now" all but swung the doors open for a solo career. While the setup and idea are still exciting on paper, El DeBarge is a disappointment. That being said, there are some high points here. Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager's "Love Always" has one of Bacharach's most challenging '80s melodies. DeBarge handles the sorrowful lyrics with great pacing and delivery. While a little sappy, "Someone" attains enough momentum to be poignant. "Lost Without Her Love" offered DeBarge's best vocal of the album and has a pitch-perfect '80s L.A. pop arrangement. Unfortunately DeBarge's hits from earlier efforts seemed to point him in an odd direction. The abysmal "Who's Johnny" might have caused many to break camp with him altogether. The majority of the other tracks just don't do anything to enliven the product or accentuate his voice. The fact that DeBarge didn't have a hand in producing or writing the songs all but made this ho-hum from the start. ~ Jason Elias

Product Details

Release Date:	09/30/2022
Label:	Universal
UPC:	4988031522134

Album Credits

Performance Credits

El DeBarge   Primary Artist
Siedah Garrett   Guest Artist
Burt Bacharach   Guest Artist
David Foster   Guest Artist
Ernie Watts   Guest Artist
Paulinho Da Costa   Guest Artist
Michael McDonald   Guest Artist

Technical Credits

Robbie Nevil   Composer
Mark Mueller   Composer
Diane Warren   Composer
Bruce Roberts   Composer
Burt Bacharach   Composer
Alan Scott   Composer,Composer
Diane Warfren   Composer
Mark Clifford Muller   Composer
Peter Wolf   Composer,Composer
Jack Conrad   Composer,Composer
Billy Towne   Composer
Ina Wolf   Composer
Gary Pickus   Composer
Albert Hammond   Composer
Roy Freeland   Composer
Randy Goodrum   Composer
Carole Bayer Sager   Composer
Larry Henley   Composer
Jay Graydon   Composer
Duke Ellington   Composer
Tennyson   Composer