Chico DeBarge's follow-up to the 1997 Long Time No See finds him still examining the theme of resuming a normal life after his release from prison. While not specifically a concept album, The Game does wind down from angst... more »-ridden cuts such as the title song (the tale of a dealer seeking one last Superfly-style score) and the Stevie Wonder-like "Everybody Knew But Me" to the thoughtful "Heart, Mind, and Soul" and a cover of Marvin Gaye's "'Til Tomorrow." Much more than a solid modern-R&B album, The Game reflects one man's struggle for freedom and peace. If that sounds corny now, it won't after you listen. DeBarge may have a masterpiece in him yet, but this fine release will certainly do for now and a long while to come. --Rickey Wright« less
Chico DeBarge's follow-up to the 1997 Long Time No See finds him still examining the theme of resuming a normal life after his release from prison. While not specifically a concept album, The Game does wind down from angst-ridden cuts such as the title song (the tale of a dealer seeking one last Superfly-style score) and the Stevie Wonder-like "Everybody Knew But Me" to the thoughtful "Heart, Mind, and Soul" and a cover of Marvin Gaye's "'Til Tomorrow." Much more than a solid modern-R&B album, The Game reflects one man's struggle for freedom and peace. If that sounds corny now, it won't after you listen. DeBarge may have a masterpiece in him yet, but this fine release will certainly do for now and a long while to come. --Rickey Wright
"I have been a fan of Chico's music since "Talk To Me" when I was in middle school. When I heard Long Time No See I felt he had stepped out of the shadow of his family and was a serious artist. I loved it. When I first heard The Game I must say I was not happy, but I bought it anyway and I am glad I did. It is great and Chico did not try to dupicate Long Time No See. The only disappointment is the song with Bobby Brown. I especially like Everybody knew but me, Sorry and Listen to your man. When Chico sings I believe what he is feeling. He reminds me of Marvin Gaye and I can see why he identifies so much with Marvin. Marvin was a divided soul and so is Chico it is reflected in the great music they've done. I do wish Chico would have stuck to the original version of Heart, Mind and Soul which was originally done by El DeBarge on his Heart Mind and Soul Album. Anyway go out and support Chico, artist like him, D'Angelo and Angie Stone are not always mainstream but they deserve our support so that they can keep on making great music."
Chico is the man
JV | 10/27/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I LISTEN TO CHICO'CD (THE GAME) AND IT IS ALL THAT!!! I READ A REVIEW IN THE VIBE MAGAZINE AND THEY DIDN'T LIKE THE JOB CHICO DONE ON TILL TOMORROW!! WHEN I READ THIS ARTICAL,IT ALMOST STOPPED ME FROM BUYING THIS CD, BUT WITH PAST EXPERENCE WITH CHICO, I PICKED IT UP ANYWAY!!! TILL TOMORROW IS A SONG DONE BY MARVIN GAYE, AND CHICO SUNG THE HELL OUT OF IT!!!! THE DEBARGE FAMILY HAS A HISTORY WITH SINGING OLD MARVIN GAYE SONG'S, AND NONE OF THEM HAS LET ME DOWN YET!! SEXUAL, EVERYBODY KNEW BUT ME, THE EDGE, SORRY, GIVE YOU WHAT YOU WANT, THE GAME,WHEN CAN I SEE YOU AGAIN,LISTEN TO YOUR MAN!!! ALL THESE SONGS ARE "SLAMMING" BUT THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS CD IS "YOUR WAY"!!!!! THIS IS A SONG THAT MAKE ME WANT TO HAVE A JAM SESSION WITH CHICO, AND HIS BAND!!! THIS SONG NEEDS TO BE AT LEAST 8 MIN'S LONG,AND SO DOES THE EDGE!!! THIS IS ONE CD THAT YOU CAN PLAY WITHOUT SKIPPING A SONG!!!! KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DO CHICO!!! YOU GOT GAME!!!!"
This CD is a perfect follow-up to "Long Time No See."ÿ
Mike | 11/19/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this CD and every song on it is good, but my favorite one is "Your Way." This song is too smooth! "Sexual" could get some folks in trouble. This song takes Atlantic Starr's "Secret Lovers" much further! If you heard it, then you know what I'm talking about. "Heart, Mind & Soul" with Ms. Etterlene(Mama DeBarge)is a beautiful remake of El's original song. You can also hear El in the background. I recommend that this CD be added to any music lover's collection who's into REAL soul music."
Here Me Now!!!
Mike | London | 08/23/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I think that a lot of people were disappointed with Chico's follow-up to "Long Time No See"; granted he strayed into more of the rnb foray this time round (particularly evident through "Listen to your man" and "Give u what u want") which are great tracks, but not tracks that can really compete with "Love Still Good" from his first solo effort.Having said that, a lot of other reviewers have come out here and dubbed this album a 'must have'. Personally, I think that there are certain tracks which are a more 'must have' as opposed to the album, as a whole. The Brian Mcknight produced "When Can I See You Again" - which is the greatest track on the album (awesome!), and "I'm Sorry" stand out as 2 of these essentials.I think that this is a great album to lead someone into a more mature genre of music (like Jill Scott, D'Angelo, Eric Benet, etc) because it tends to transcend both barriers making everyone happy.Thanx 4 ur time"
Ahead in The Game...
yygsgsdrassil | Crossroads America | 07/15/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"...various people give me suggestions on what to review and what I should say about a particular product...which, if you have been following along with my madness, is a no-no on both counts. And generally I try not to take suggestions from anybody. A Rugged Individual, that's me... But this Chico Debarge CD, well, a friend of mine gives it to me one day and says, "It's a little old--I think he's got a new one out by now, but, carry it in your car along side your regular listening/driving material and one day slip it in your stereo". So I put it with the stuff in my Saturn SC1 and fergot about it... I liked Switch. I dug the younger siblings (the group) Debarge.
And there's a couple of rare El Debarge CDs I would *love* to get my hands on, but admittedly I also have had a longstanding problem with Chico's penchant for doing The Silly Putty on famous soul falsettos. It's not important to name names here, just say I couldn't get with him c'ause of it. Until one day, I put said product in the auto stereo.I must say, I was wrong about the dude. Here's a CD that's got good tunes on it from top to bottom. I found myself replaying "My Heart, My Soul, My Mind" because it did channel a Marvin Gaye/T-Boy Ross/Leon Ware era thang that I thought was rather pleasing. I remembered "Til Tommorrow" as a Marvin Gaye composition found on hs great album "Midnight Love". Bobby Brown joins Chico in a "My Perogative" like rant to smoothed out neo-soul rhythms. And one song has Lakisha telling...who tells...and everybody knows that the breakup has occurred except our hero, the singer. That tune there is a spark of brilliance. If you close your eyes you can see Stevie's blessings given on that one.Oooooo...I like it. This CD, that is. Chico Debarge is truly an superb artist who has not gotten his proper respect. Get one of his CDs and enjoy him ta-day!"