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The DeBarges
R&B / Soul · 1981

The DeBarges

DeBarge

Polished 1981 soul debut defined by shimmering family harmonies and the emerging brilliance of El DeBarge’s falsetto. Warm, romantic, and urban.

1981 · Tamla Motown

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The DeBarges is a masterclass in the transition from late-seventies soul to the sleek, synth-touched R&B of the early eighties. It carries the unmistakable weight of the Motown legacy, yet it feels lighter and more agile than the label's previous decade. The primary draw here is the vocal chemistry: a genetic synchronization that allows the siblings to move as a single, multi-tonal unit. It is music that feels like velvet, smooth to the touch but possessing a deep, resonant warmth that only analog recording can provide.

Moments Worth Listening For
The moment the family harmonies lock in during the chorus of Share My World, showcasing their genetic vocal blend.
The delicate piano intro of Queen of My Heart that sets a fragile, romantic stage.
El DeBarge's effortless ascent into his signature falsetto during the bridge of Strange Romance.
Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does The DeBarges sound next to the rest of DeBarge's catalogue?

Piano+1.6σ

The instrumentation foregrounds piano notably more than the catalogue usually does.

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