El Debarge - Heart Mind And Soul (1994)

Seeking the appeal he enjoyed while signed to Motown, El DeBarge released his second project under the WEA family. In contrast to many of his projects DeBarge gives the producer's chair on most selections to several industry veterans, including prolific songwriter and producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. The release from this project was "Can't Get Enough." The soft yet danceable track is seasoned around Babyface's trademark rhythm arrangement, placing DeBarge back on the Billboard R&B chart at number 21; the single's provocative video didn't hurt either. He followed with the duet "Where Is My Love?," featuring Babyface, a simmering ballad that heats up through each chorus, climaxing after a romantic rap by DeBarge. "Slide," produced by Jermaine Dupri, is an urban funk sampled track paced by a smacking snare drum. The single cracked the Top 40 at number 36. The final release from the album was "Where You Are," a melodious rhythmic track featuring Babyface on background vocals and a stimulating harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder. After only five weeks on the charts, it fizzled at number 86. Nonetheless, it is one of the better songs on this project. DeBarge also includes a very inspirational number in the title track. Still strongly influenced by Marvin Gaye, this number is reminiscent of Gaye's arrangements, including the bass trumpet solo.