# El DeBarge (album)

El DeBarge is the debut solo album by El DeBarge. It was released on May 6, 1986 through Gordy Records (a sub-label of Motown) 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.

## Critical reception

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
| Tom Hull – on the Web | B+ |
Jason Elias of AllMusic stated: "While the setup and idea are still exciting on paper, [the album] is a disappointment." He also stated that "the majority of the [...] tracks just don't do anything to enliven the product or accentuate his voice," and concluded by writing that "the fact that DeBarge didn't have a hand in producing or writing the songs all but made this ho-hum from the start."

## Track listing

* "Who's Johnny" (Peter Wolf, Ina Wolf) – 4:11
* "Secrets Of The Night" (Albert Hammond, Diane Warren) – 4:20
* "I Wanna Hear It From My Heart" (Warren) – 4:25
* "Someone" (Jay Graydon, Mark Mueller, Robbie Nevil) – 4:45
* "When Love Has Gone Away" (Jack Conrad, Larry Henley) – 3:08
* "Private Line" (Diane Warren) – 3:48
* "Love Always" (Burt Bacharach, Bruce Roberts, Carole Bayer-Sager) – 5:32
* "Lost Without Her Love" (Randy Goodrum, Graydon) – 4:35
* "Thrill Of The Chase" (Alan Roy Scott, Roy Freeland, Gary Pickus) – 3:47
* "Don't Say It's Over" (Diane Warren) – 4:32

## Personnel

* El DeBarge – lead vocals (all tracks), backing vocals (1, 3, 5–8, 10)
* Peter Wolf – various instruments (1, 3, 10), arrangements (1, 3, 10)
* Robbie Buchanan – keyboards (2), arrangements (2, 6), select instruments (6, 9), Fender Rhodes (7), Yamaha DX7 (7)
* Laythan Armor – additional synthesizer programming (2)
* David Boruff – additional synthesizer programming (2), saxophone (2, 6)
* Jay Graydon – all instruments (4), arrangements (4, 5, 8, 9), select instruments [synthesizers, guitar] (5, 8, 9)
* David Foster – select instruments (5), additional synthesizer (7)
* Randy Goodrum – select instruments (5, 8)
* Burt Bacharach – additional synthesizer (7), arrangements (7)
* Michael Boddicker – select instruments (9)
* Dann Huff – guitar (1–3, 6, 7, 10)
* Marty Walsh – guitar (7)
* Neil Stubenhaus – bass (7)
* Mike Baird – select instruments [presumably drums] (5, 9)
* John Robinson – drums (7)
* Paulinho da Costa – percussion (7)
* Ernie Watts – alto sax solo (10)
* Robbie Nevil – arrangements (4)
* Carole Bayer Sager – arrangements (7)
* Tata Vega - vocals (4)
* Siedah Garrett – backing vocals (1, 3, 10)
* Phillip Ingram – backing vocals (1, 3, 10)
* Dennis Lambert – backing vocals (1, 3, 10)
* Michael McDonald – backing vocals (1, 3, 10)
* Phil Perry – backing vocals (1, 3, 10)
* Julia Waters – backing vocals (1, 3, 10)
* Oren Waters – backing vocals (1, 3, 10)
* Ina Wolf – backing vocals (1, 3, 10)
* Vanity – backing vocals (2)
* Tommy Funderburk – backing vocals (6)
* Jim Gilstrap – backing vocals (6)
* Bunny Hull – backing vocals (6)
* Tom Kelly – backing vocals (6)
* Richard Page – backing vocals (8)

## Production

* Peter Wolf – producer (1, 3, 10)
* Robbie Buchanan – producer (2, 6)
* Jay Graydon – producer (4, 5, 8, 9), recording (4, 5, 8, 9)
* Burt Bacharach – producer (7)
* Carole Bayer Sager – producer (7)
* Toby Jones – executive producer
* Brian Malouf – recording (1, 3, 10), mixing (1, 3, 10)
* Barney Perkins – recording (2, 6), remixing (2, 6)
* Ian Eales – recording (4, 5, 8, 9)
* Dennis Mackay – mixing (4, 5, 8, 9), additional engineer (6)
* Michael Bowman – assistant engineer (1, 3, 10)
* Dan Garcia – assistant engineer (1, 3, 10)
* Stephen Krause – assistant engineer (1, 3, 10)
* Glen Holquin – assistant engineer (2)
* Craig Miller – assistant engineer (2)
* Mike Ross – additional engineer (6)
* Gail Pierson – album coordinator
* Johnny Lee – art direction
* Janet Levinson – design
* Greg Gorman – photography
Studios
* Recorded at Garden Rake Studio (Sherman Oaks, CA); Image Recording Studios, Studio 55 and Lion Share Recording Studio (Los Angeles, CA); Bill Schnee Studios (North Hollywood, CA); Conway Studios (Hollywood, CA).
* Mixed at Can-Am Recorders (Tarzana, CA); Conway Studios, Studio 55 and Lion Share Recording Studio.
* Tracks 2 & 6 remixed at Yamaha International Recording (Glendale, CA).

## Certifications

| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| United States (RIAA) | Gold | 500,000$^^$ |
| $^^$ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |||