The Definitive Collection

• Artist: DeBarge
• Rating:
• Release Date: September 23, 2008
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Rhythm & Blues

Review

If you could swear you've seen this set of tracks, in this same order, somewhere else, it's because you have. The Definitive Collection, released in 2008, is a re-dressed version of 1997's The Ultimate Collection. The mastering credits for both discs are the same, so there is presumably no difference in the sound. The packaging here is a little more attractive, but unlike the Universal-distributed Gold series, the details in the liner notes are thin: no release dates, no chart information. This set of songs makes for the best DeBarge anthology available, containing not just the DeBarge-the-group Top Ten R&B hits but solo hits for El, Bunny, and Chico, as well as some deeper cuts, like the single edit of 1982's "Stop! Don't Tease Me" (grade B-plus boogie that deserved better) and "Stay with Me" (a gorgeous album cut, the basis of Ashanti's "Foolish"). Chronologically, the set ends with Bunny's singles from her 1987 solo album. Altogether a compulsory component of anyone's '80s R&B collection. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Rythm of the Night [Dance Mix]	Diane Warren	DeBarge	(5:43)
Time Will Reveal (Lyrics)	Bobby DeBarge	DeBarge	(4:17)
I Like It (Lyrics)	Eldra DeBarge, Randy DeBarge	DeBarge	(4:39)
You Wear It Well (Lyrics)	Chico DeBarge, Eldra DeBarge	DeBarge, El DeBarge	(3:54)
Who's Holding Donna Now? (Lyrics)		DeBarge	(4:28)
Stop! Don't Tease Me	Eldra DeBarge	DeBarge	(3:55)
Love Me in a Special Way (Lyrics)	Eldra DeBarge	DeBarge	(4:14)
A Dream		DeBarge	(5:14)
Talk to Me (Lyrics)	Nick Mundy, Franne Golde	Chico DeBarge	(3:50)
All This Love (Lyrics)	Eldra DeBarge	DeBarge	(5:53)
Love Always (Lyrics)	Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, Bruce Roberts	El DeBarge	(5:24)
Who's Johnny [From Short Circuit]	Ina Wolf	El DeBarge	(4:10)
The Heart Is Not So Smart	Diane Warren	DeBarge, El DeBarge	(3:52)
Save the Best for Me (Best of Your Lovin')	Jerry Knight, Aaron Zigman	Bunny DeBarge	(4:34)
Dance All Night	Ralph Benatar, Hazel Payne, Lorenzo Pryor	Bunny DeBarge	(4:04)
Stay with Me	Mark DeBarge	Mark DeBarge	(3:47)

Credits

Randy DeBarge (Rhythm Arrangements), Eldra DeBarge (Arranger), Ute Friesleben (Production Coordination), Burt Bacharach (Arranger), Eldra DeBarge (Horn Arrangements), Burt Bacharach (Producer), Skip Drinkwater (Producer), Raymond Crossley (Producer), Aaron Zigman (Producer), Steve Buckley (Creative Director), Clare Fischer (String Arrangements), Berry Gordy, Jr. (Executive Producer), Nick Mundy (Associate Producer), Carole Bayer Sager (Producer), Jerry Knight (Producer), Aaron Zigman (Arranger), Reggie Lucas (Producer), Connie Choi (Product Manager), Carole Bayer Sager (Arranger), Junie Osaki (Package Design), Chris Bellman (Mastering), Jerry Knight (Arranger), Monty Seward (Compilation Producer), Reggie Lucas (Arranger), Curtis Anthony Nolen (Producer), Ryan Null (Photo Coordination), Richard Perry (Producer), Eldra DeBarge (Producer), Daniel LeMelle (Horn Arrangements), Iris Gordy (Producer), Steven Ivory (Liner Notes), Steve Buckley (Executive Producer), Bunny DeBarge (Rhythm Accompaniment), Eldra DeBarge (Rhythm Arrangements), Russell Ferrante (Rhythm Arrangements), Bobby DeBarge (Associate Producer)