Description
The Deele – Eyes Of A Stranger – Vinyl Record
Eyes of a Stranger is the fourth and final studio album by The Deele, released in 1987. It stands as the group’s artistic and commercial high point, blending sophisticated contemporary R&B, funk, soul, quiet storm, and pop into a polished collection that helped define the sound of late-1980s urban music. Although The Deele would soon disband, the album remains an important chapter in modern R&B history, not least because it features the songwriting and production talents of Kenneth and Antonio before they became one of the most successful production teams in popular music.
Formed in Cincinnati, Ohio, The Deele spent much of the early 1980s developing a reputation for tight musicianship and sophisticated songwriting. By the time they recorded Eyes of a Stranger, the group had refined its sound into a seamless blend of infectious grooves, elegant ballads, and contemporary production, positioning themselves at the forefront of modern R&B.
The album is best known for the timeless ballad “Two Occasions,” which became the group’s signature hit. Built around a graceful melody, heartfelt lyrics, and Babyface’s emotionally expressive vocal performance, the song remains one of the defining slow jams of the decade. Its themes of longing, friendship, and unspoken love resonated with audiences and helped establish Babyface as one of R&B’s premier songwriters.
While “Two Occasions” often receives the most attention, the rest of the album demonstrates remarkable consistency. Up-tempo funk grooves, romantic ballads, and polished dance tracks are woven together with exceptional craftsmanship. The arrangements reflect the era’s embrace of synthesizers and drum machines, yet they retain the warmth and musicianship of classic soul traditions.
Vocally, the group excels through strong harmonies and expressive lead performances. Rather than relying on vocal excess, The Deele emphasizes blend, phrasing, and emotional sincerity. This approach gives the album an understated elegance that has allowed it to age gracefully.
Babyface’s emerging songwriting style is one of the album’s greatest strengths. Even before his extraordinary success writing for artists such as Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton, and Madonna, many of the qualities that would define his career are already evident here: memorable melodies, sophisticated chord progressions, conversational lyrics, and an exceptional ability to express complex emotions with clarity and restraint.
L.A. Reid’s rhythmic instincts complement Babyface’s melodic gifts perfectly. Together, they create grooves that are danceable without sacrificing musical sophistication. Their partnership would soon reshape contemporary R&B throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, making Eyes of a Stranger an important document of their creative partnership in its formative years.
The production captures the polished aesthetic of its era while avoiding the excessive gloss that dates some late-1980s recordings. Layered keyboards, crisp percussion, tasteful guitar work, and rich vocal harmonies create a luxurious sound that supports the songs rather than overwhelming them. The balance between electronic textures and organic musicianship gives the album lasting appeal.
Lyrically, the album focuses primarily on love, romance, heartbreak, commitment, and emotional vulnerability. Rather than presenting exaggerated drama, the songs often explore relationships with maturity and empathy, contributing to the album’s enduring emotional resonance.
Upon its release, Eyes of a Stranger received strong reviews and solid commercial success, with “Two Occasions” becoming a major crossover hit. In hindsight, the album has gained even greater significance because it marked the end of The Deele just as Babyface and L.A. Reid were beginning careers that would profoundly influence popular music for decades.
Today, Eyes of a Stranger is regarded as one of the finest R&B albums of the late 1980s. It captures a gifted band at the peak of its creative powers while foreshadowing the sophisticated songwriting and production style that would soon dominate contemporary R&B.
With its elegant melodies, polished production, heartfelt performances, and exceptional songwriting, Eyes of a Stranger remains a rewarding listen more than three decades after its release. Romantic, soulful, and impeccably crafted, it is both the crowning achievement of The Deele and an early glimpse of the remarkable legacy that Babyface and L.A. Reid would go on to create.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Two Occasions
Shoot ‘Em Up Movies
Let No One Separate Us
Eyes Of A Stranger
Can-U-Dance
She Wanted
Hip Chic
So Many Thangz
Eyes Of A Stranger (Reprise)
