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In a Special Way
R&B / Soul · 1983 · 6 tracks

In a Special Way

DeBarge

A minimalist masterpiece of 80s soul. Shimmering falsettos and sparse synth arrangements create a fragile, late-night atmosphere of pure romantic innocence.

September 24, 1983 · Gordy

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In a Special Way is the ultimate late-night companion, a record that feels like a whispered secret shared between close friends or lovers. It occupies a unique space in the 80s R&B landscape, eschewing the decade's typical bombast for a sound that is remarkably austere and intimate. The album's beauty lies in its restraint: the arrangements are often sparse, allowing the DeBarge family's otherworldly vocal harmonies to float effortlessly over warm analog synths and gentle, Latin-inflected rhythms. It is a sound that is both sophisticated and deeply innocent, capturing the fluttering heart of urban romance without the cynicism of the era's more aggressive pop.

Tracklist · 6 Tracks
01
Be My Lady
4:15
04
Need Somebody
4:34
06
Queen of My Heart
3:40
07
Baby, Won’t Cha Come Quick
4:36
08
I Give Up on You
3:47
09
A Dream
4:24
Moments Worth Listening For
The transition into the bridge of 'Stay with Me' where the harmonies stack into a weightless, shimmering cloud.
The opening piano chords of 'A Dream' that feel like a soft, melancholic invitation into a private world.
El DeBarge's effortless leap into a crystal-clear falsetto during the climax of 'Time Will Reveal'.
The subtle, syncopated Latin percussion that drives the title track beneath its smooth surface.
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 In a Special Way sound next to the rest of DeBarge's catalogue?

Late Night+1.8σ

Late Night saturates this record notably more than the artist's norm.

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