Customer Reviews

20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection (Jewl)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a nicely packaged collection (with liner notes by David Nathan) of DeBarge's bigger hits. Split into two parts (appropriately titled "Smooth" and "Groove"), this collection takes you from the silky numbers like "I Like It" and "Time Will Reveal," to the soft funk of "Stop! Don't Tease Me" and "Rhythm of the Night." This collection is clearly for the casual listener, as it omits many fan-favorite album tracks such as "A Dream" and "Share My World." But the nice packaging makes it a must for the hardcore fan, featuring nice pictures that display the group through the years. This CD, like the other DeBarge compliations, omits all together material from their overlooked 1981 album "The DeBarges," some of which may pop up on a CD one day, who knows. For the complete DeBarge/El DeBarge/Bunny DeBarge experience, "The Ultimate Collection" is a better buy. Nonetheless, this CD is a nice addition to any pop/soul collection, displaying the key moments in DeBarge's recording history with Motown/Gordy.

Mowtown originally billed DeBarge as the next Jackson family, which set some pretty lofty goals for their success, which they scratched at with all their might, but never quite achieved. That said, this is a solid album full of well-done songs for the casual listener. "Best of DeBarge" may bring back happy memories for you, as it has for me.

The "Smooth" section of the album includes classics like "I Like It" and "All This Love," both very lush affairs with full instrumentation. This is easily the best part of the album. The "Smooth" section segues into "Groove," which includes "Rythym of The Night" and El Debarge's solo hit from the film "Short Circuit," "Who's Johnny?" The "Groove" section is a little dated, but the songs are strong, especially "You Wear It Well," a solid, if overlooked, groove.

One interesting track around the middle of the album is "Stay With Me." Alternating between moody and celebretory tones, the song is short, but easily the most interesting song DeBarge released in their heyday. Parts of this track were smapled in the massive hits "One More Chance" by rapper the Notorious B.I.G. and "Foolish" by R&B singer Ashanti.

I had previously owned Debarge "the Ultimate Collection", this CD was released later, and while it is shorter, I prefer this One: Ultimate is a Fine CD, and includes Chico's Solo Hit "Talk to Me", not found here, but this CD is more Compact, I don't need to skip any Tracks, and I like the "Slow" Side "Fast" Side Concept, as if this were an LP to flip Over, reminds Me of Rod Stewart's "A Night on the Town" Album....Anyway, Chico wasn't part of the Group Debarge, So in a way His Song is out of Context, El Led the Group, so "Who's Johnny" does fit; This CD omits Bunny's Solo Single, which is subpar, and weighs down "Ultimate Debarge", and this CD is several Bucks cheaper, with colorful Photos of the Group not found in "Ultimate"; Unless You're a Completist, this One Works best

El Debarge is a Genius.when you hear him singing&Composing you know it's classic material.the group on a whole was very talented as well.it's cool that they are still getting love.they have a major impact on a lot of things that are being sampled&looped.you hear great vocals&solid Production here.i have all of there hits compilations&also solo work also Switch's Greatest Hits as well.this family is very talented&Underrated.they deserve more props.check this out.EL Debarge is a Great Talent.

After a nearly two-year hiatus of not listening to this CD from my collection, I heard it again this summer. This group's music still sounds superb. DeBarge proved that they could have a delectable string of hits between 1982 and 1986, with '83 and '85 being their key years. El DeBarge has such a smooth falsetto that reminds people so much of Marvin Gaye's early '70s vocal singing. He delivered on all the numbers for the group. All This Love is still wonderful, and I like I Like It, but a true contender to me is really 1985's Who's Holding Donna Now. Donna's smooth and mellow groove still holds up 2 decades later. I heard that a lot in summer '85 when it was moving slowly up the pop chart to the top 10. Rhythm of The Night is still a heavily played song with its tropical feel. I hear it so much in stores and some adult contemporary pop stations these days. One of Diane Warren's best written songs, very upbeat over the mostly sappy pop ballads she has done for Celine, Whitney, Christina and countless other artists. But a song that was also a hit is one I've been playing a lot lately, the ultra funky, You Wear It Well! Very '80s in its sound, but truly DeBarge. It could be perfect background music for Bravo's currently popular Project Runway show! Stop! Don't Tease Me is a funk gem that could rival anything from Michael Jackson's Off The Wall album. El DeBarge's solo hits when he left the group are included, especially the dynamic Who's Johnny. Producer/musician Peter Wolf's hyperactive pop music sound that he did for Starship, Heart and Aretha Franklin blends well with El's soulful, cool vocals on this song. It's one of my favorite solo hits from El. Stay with Me has had such a strong second life to it since 1995, when Notorious B.I.G. sampled the somber, calm conclusion part of it in One More Chance. Another artist, Ashanti, used that same part in her 2002 hit Foolish. Proof that DeBarge was ahead of their time musically when it came to strongly composed songs. I've been listening to Stay far more because of hip-hop artists' love of that ballad. The songs on this collection are just as fresh and exciting to hear in 2006, so please purchase this soon!

Really takes you back for Great memories. Great for any collection and enables you to school the younger generation with music you'll always love!!!

I once owned this album by Debarge many years ago and I loved it then and I love it today. This CD is the classic Debarge experience. The CD has most of the greatest hits by the group with the exception of "A Dream" led by Bunny Debarge. This is smooth, feel good music with plenty of that old school nostalgia. Tops.

I just wanted to say that I really enjoy this CD. I've loved this group since they first came on the scene back in the 80s. This CD was so affordable. I recently lost my job and I was still able to make this purchase and the quality is very good. Thank you so much.

Ren

I ordered this cd The Best of Debarge on 11/03/2010 I received the cd on 12/2/2010. You do the math. I normally buy from sellers that are close to me so I receive pretty quickly. I will def. Keep this seller in mind so to ensure this was my last purchase.

I've been a Debarge fan ever since I can remember. I remember hearing there huge back in 1982 "All This Love" and rushing out to the record store to purchase the 45rpm of that song. As time passed, more hits kept being pushed out by them. My personal favorite on this album is "Who's Holding Donna Now?", I remember when it was played out on the radio. Other standout tracks include Rhythm Of The Night,The Heart Is Not So Smart,You Wear It Well,Time Will Reveal,Who's Johnny,and I Like It. All classics on this album, no fillers at all. The only song I see missing from this collection, is an minor hit from the 1984 Rhythm Of The Night album titled "Share My World". Besides that, make sure you pick up a copy of this album from this fantastic group!