BEST OF/20TH CENTURY

Switch: Bobby DeBarge, Greg Williams (vocals, keyboards); Jody Sims (vocals, drums); Phillip Ingram (vocals, percussion); Eddie Fluellen (trombone, keyboards); Tommy DeBarge (bass, background vocals). Additional personnel includes: Michael McGloiry (guitar). Producers include: Bobby DeBarge, The Bewley Brothers, Jody Sims, Thomas DeBarge, Jermaine Jackson. Compilation producer: Harry Weinger. Originally released on Gordy Records. Includes liner notes by A. Scott Galloway. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Throughout the '90s, alt-rock pioneer Perry Farrell became caught in the DJ culture emerging from the underground and slowly permeating the mainstream. Two years after the nasally singer contributed a pair of drum-and-bass-driven tracks to the Jane's Addiction/Porno For Pyro compilation REV, the father of Lollapalooza returned with a solo debut more steeped in electronica and shaped by a renewed interest in his Jewish background. Aided by an array of talent including reggae legend Mad Professor, Jane's guitarist Dave Navarro, PFP's Martyn LeNoble and Jon Brion, Farrell hop-scotches through a number of different dance-driven styles. "Seeds" is a light, swirling stab at Orb-flavored techno, "To Me" rides a rubbery dancehall rhythm driven by the piano of War's Lonnie Jordan and "Nua Nua" is a Middle Eastern tinged outing sparked by clattering beats. Among the themes touched on are ones of global renewal (a drum-and-bass flavored "Happy Birthday Jubilee") and the spiritual importance of song in society (the ambient title track). Although cuts like "Say Something" and "Shekina" occasionally drift off into the ether, SONG YET TO BE SUNG finds Farrell once again finding a way to challenge both himself and his fans.