Rhythm of the Night | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | March 14, 1985 | |||
Recorded | 1984–1985 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | Dance-pop, R&B | |||
Length | 42:33 | |||
Label | Gordy | |||
Producer |
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DeBarge chronology | ||||
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Singles from DeBarge | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Tom Hull – on the Web | B+ ( ) [2] |
The Village Voice | B+ [3] |
Rhythm of the Night is the fourth studio album by DeBarge, released by Gordy Records on March 14, 1985. It reached #19 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the R&B Album Chart. The album was also certified Gold by the RIAA.
DeBarge continued their success streak with their third album, 1983's In a Special Way. They went back into the studio to record what became Rhythm of the Night. Although the group had creative control, the group's managers Tony Jones and Suzanne de Passe elected to have outside producers to helm the project. [4] Producers included Richard Perry, Giorgio Moroder and Jay Graydon with the members of DeBarge on a few songs. [4] Rhythm of the Night contained six new songs, which were recorded specifically for the album. The remaining songs were old material that had been previously released. "Single Heart" originally appeared in the 1983 film D.C. Cab , while "Share My World" originally appeared on their 1981 debut The DeBarges . [4] When asked why the group's contributions were minimal on Rhythm of the Night, El noted that it was largely due to them being busy touring with singer Luther Vandross. [4]
However, in a 2008 episode of TV One's Unsung , the group members revealed that drugs were the real reason behind their limited involvement. [5] Most of the members were drug addled - much like their brothers in the group Switch. [5] El DeBarge was zero tolerance when it came to drug use, and as such, Motown solely relied on him to complete the album. [5] As the remaining members of the group were increasingly affected their drug use, El threatened to attempt a solo career on the Vandross tour. [5] Motown then handed El the task of recording and finishing Rhythm of the Night with little to no input from his siblings. [5] Most of the backing vocals were performed by El with an array of session vocalists. [5] James DeBarge mentioned that he had no idea where the studios were to record his vocals and the only song he actually sang on was the title track, while Bunny was asked to sing over the background singers' parts. [5]
When the album was released in early 1985, the label made it obvious about the future of the group. El's picture was enlarged while the other members' photos were downsized. [5] Also, on the singles released from the album, the group was billed as El DeBarge with DeBarge. Despite the success of the album, Motown released the group from their recording contract and offered solo deals to El, Bunny and the youngest member of the DeBarge family, Chico. [5] After modest sales of all three solo efforts, Motown dropped Bunny and Chico, while El left Motown for Warner Bros. Records. [5]
DeBarge gained airplay on MTV, VH1 and BET with the release of their single "Rhythm of the Night". The song reached #1 on the R&B chart and #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their biggest hit and jump-starting the career of its writer, Diane Warren. The single was certified gold. This hit single also made an appearance in the film The Last Dragon , which was primarily financed by Motown president Berry Gordy.
The second single "Who's Holding Donna Now" would become the group's second most successful single. The song reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the R&B chart. The single was certified gold.
The third single "You Wear It Well" was a moderate hit for DeBarge, reaching #46 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the R&B chart. This song also went to #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.
The fourth and final single was the ballad "The Heart Is Not So Smart", which was another moderate hit for the group. It reached #75 on the Pop chart and #29 on the R&B chart. It still gains occasional airplay on radio stations in the U.S.
DeBarge
Additional personnel
Studios
Chart (1985) | Peak position |
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US Billboard 200 [6] | 19 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [7] | 3 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United States (RIAA) [8] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Affairs of the Heart is the third studio album by American pop singer Jody Watley, released on December 3, 1991, by MCA Records.. Affairs of the Heart supplies a handful of energetic dance numbers and a plentiful selection of quiet storm ballads, the new material result is a set that's much thicker and deeper sound. Watley co-wrote nine of the album's 11 tracks, which delivers a good mixture flow of R&B-funk, to classy house, to inspirational dance pop and groovy melody Motown-inspired soul.
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El DeBarge is the debut solo album by El DeBarge. It was released on May 6, 1986 through Gordy Records and featured the three hit singles, "Who's Johnny," which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, "Love Always," which reached #43, and "Someone," which was a Top 20 Billboard A/C hit and made it to #70 on the Hot 100. Singer/actress Vanity featured on backing vocals on the track, "Secrets Of The Night". This album was certified by RIAA as gold in September, 1986, selling over 500,000 copies.
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"Who's Holding Donna Now" is a 1985 hit single recorded by DeBarge for the Gordy label. It was their second consecutive Top 10 Pop hit in the U. S. after the release of "Rhythm of the Night".
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In a Special Way is the third studio album by American R&B group DeBarge, released by Gordy Records on September 23, 1983. It was recorded at Kendun Records in Burbank and Westlake Audio in West Hollywood; written and produced by lead vocalist El DeBarge with additional writing by Mark, James and Bunny DeBarge.
Breakin' Away is an album by Al Jarreau, released on June 30, 1981, through the Warner Bros. Records label. To quote AllMusic, "Breakin' Away became the standard bearer of the L.A. pop and R&B sound."
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"The Heart Is Not So Smart" was a moderate hit song recorded by DeBarge for the Gordy label credited to "El DeBarge with DeBarge" on the single release. Relying on an outside producer and songwriters, this song was recorded and released as the fourth single from Debarge's fourth album, Rhythm of the Night.
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