Today, neo-classic soul has extended far beyond a trendy catch phrase-- it's become a highly successful sub-genre of R&B music. The love child of musical styles from first-name-only icons like Aretha, Marvin and Stevie, today's soul music reaches deep with real instrumentation, tight production and pure, rich vocals.

You know this man's voice. Neo-classic, deeply rhythmic, sultry, soothing and, yes, very sexy. Chico DeBarge, the youngest of the world reknown DeBarge family, is a man with a mission. After the release of his critically acclaimed, gold-certified, Kedar Entertainment debut, Long Time No See, Chico went right back to work, doing what he does best: writing, producing and recording ballads and mid-tempos that make you wish, feel and dream. It's obvious that this talented vocalist loves his music.

"Recording this album really wore me out but it was a good feeling because I know I worked hard and I'm pleased with the result," says Chico about his scintillating sophomore Motown album, The Game. This ambitious collection is a continuation of Chico's musical exploration of the risks and perils of falling in love and fighting temptation.

Of course, he also expects to top the success of his popular freshman set. "I feel like I've just knocked on the door in this business. With the name DeBarge, there was pressure to live up to the name. And I still have very important things to say," says Chico. His eloquence is apparent on the primarily self-produced and self-written, The Game. The title's meaning is two-fold. Chico served several years in prison during his younger years. He offers no excuses and refuses to play the blame game for his own mistakes. Upon his release, he made a conscious decision to not allow the negative words of the prison guards affect him. "They would place bets on how long it would be before I came back. And that hurt. They lost and I won but it's been a struggle to stay out of the game. But people need to understand that I don't want to dwell on my past any longer. This album is all about transition - learning, growing and moving on."

To quote Chico's label mate, Erykah Badu, there is always the other side of the game. And for Chico, that means the women in his life. The mother he disappointed when he was in prison, the woman who promised she'd wait for him and the women he didn't know how to approach when he was released. "Things had changed when I got out. Women were hardened a little by the actions of men. And they were really about taking care of themselves and not needing a man. But I was raised to be romantic, chivalrous, respectful and give unconditional love." As Chico continues to navigate both sides of the game-- freedom and love-- fans of his honey-coated riffs can sit back with a mind blowing set.

The first single, the Soulshock and Karlin produced "Give You What You Want (Fa Sure)", does just that. Opening with a seductive keyboard riff, Chico's voice (along with a palpitating bassline) drops on this track like hot candle wax on bare skin. "All we need is a place and time / Set the pace and free our minds / Let it go and explore."

Assisted by the talents of Brian Mcknight, Andrea Martin, Soulshock and Karlin and his big brother, El DeBarge, as well as vocals from Joe, Doug E. Fresh and Bobby Brown, Chico produced and co-wrote virtually every song on the album. On, "Everyone Knew But Me," he weaves a sorrowful tale of an unfaithful lover that he still cares for deeply. "You know, if you love someone-- you understand that they aren't perfect," says Chico. "You can't love someone on the condition that they never make mistakes." The title song deals with mistakes as well-- Chico's own and the temptation of urban males in an unforgiving society. With a hip hop inflected track and gospel-tinged background vocals, he vents the frustrations of trying to stay off the streets when your options are limited. "When a brother feels like his job's disrespecting him and his girl doesn't understand what he's going through, the pull will definitely be there to go to the streets and hustle fo what you want." As he croons on the chorus, "Win or lose / This is life's game / If you ply it wrong / Then you're to blame."

Just as on Long Time No See, Chico covers a track from Marvin Gaye-- this time it is the hauntingly beautiful, "Til Tomorrow." Similar to Marvin, Chico has developed into a talent formed by conflict and compromise. Originally featured on Motown's Marvin Is 60 tribute album, "Til Tomorrow" is the perfect compliment to Chico's vintage/retro-futuristic flow.

The Game is a thought-provoking album that reflects where Chico's coming from-- and more importantly, where he's going. Chico's resonance sticks to you like a second skin. You don't just listen to his voice and the message-- you absorb it.