EL DEBARGE - IN THE STORM

El DeBarge is a member of the 80's R&B family band, DeBarge. They scored a number of mediocre hits in the early 80's, especially on soundtracks. They eventually split up to work on solo projects. On this particular disc, El enlists the help of famous producers and songwriters. The overall production credit goes to Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire fame. He only gets one writing credit. It's the album's final track. 'Special' is a rather unremarkable piece that drags the body of work down. Ending with 'Prelude To Midnight' would have been a smarter choice.

El brings in all kinds of brand names to create this outing. Chante Moore contributes vocals on numerous tracks. Soul/Funk veterans Patti LaBelle and Larry Graham also show up on songs. Rapper Kool Moe Dee contributes a satisfying funk workout at the start of the album in the track, 'Fast Lane'. Larry Graham thumps out a pounding bass and you can catch him vocalizing as well. Patti LaBelle donates her voice and arranges vocals on 'After The Dance'. Keith Crouch appears to be the major musician on the disc. He works well with DeBarge and the interlude/prelude pieces are interesting musical ideas. They're intriguing though sadly too short to fully appreciate. There's at least another album's worth of instrumental material waiting to be flushed out.

The lag time occurs in the ballads. Switching up from nasty funk to social consciousness has never sat well with me. It's a bit dodgy and the fact El apologizes for the naughtiness of this album in the liner notes only destroys the credibility of the funky sound. It also demonstrates he realizes he'll never be successful just singing soppy ballads. And it should be pointed out the generic, boring moments on the album are the result of poor balladry. Still, nothing compares to the instrumentation and sheer funk of 'Leggs'. George Clinton would be proud.

Of course, all of this was unexpected but welcome. My purpose in buying this disc was the addition of a Prince track co-written by Kirk Johnson. 'Tip O' My Tongue' doesn't feature a performance by Prince. Instead, El and Crouch collaborate to interpret the song in the style of the album's other material. Musically interesting and catchy; 'Tip O' My Tongue' stands out from the other songs. It's more complex and challenging with a wonderful vocal arrangement driving the rhythm section forward. El isn't a stranger to the Prince camp. He sang background on the song Prince wrote for Kenny Rogers in 1987. It's not unexpected to have this contribution floating around.

What is unexpected is the funky diversity and fleshed out soul of the entire disc. It's quite enjoyable on its own. Like most R&B albums, it contains its share of boring, generic filler material, but comparatively speaking... It has more bright moments than dull. Song highlights include though not should be limited to: 'Fast Lane', 'My Heart Belongs To You', 'Tip O' My Tongue', 'Elmo Funk' (Prelude and Interlude), 'Thick', 'Leggs' and 'Another Chance'. So if you buy nothing else from El DeBarge, you wouldn't go wrong making this your one selection. Worth it!!!!! My final word: STORMY.

EL DEBARGE - IN THE STORM
01. Elmo Funk (Prelude)
02. Fast Lane
03. After The Dance
04. My Heart Belongs To You
05. Cry (Interlude)
06. Love Me Tonight
07. Sincerely Yours (Interlude)
08. You Know What I Like
09. Tip O' My Tongue
10. Soul Searchin' (Prelude)
11. In The Storm
12. And Then I Wrote (Interlude)
13. Thick
14. Another Chance
15. Leggs
16. Elmo Funk (Interlude)
17. You To Turn Me On
18. Prelude To Midnight
19. Special