Mary J. Blige | ||
| Allmusic Biography : When Mary J. Bliges debut album, Whats the 411?, hit the street in July 1992, critics and fans were floored by its powerful combination of modern R&B; and edgy rap production that glanced off of the pain and grit of the singers New York upbringing. Compared to Chaka Khan and Aretha Franklin, Blige had little in common stylistically with either of those artists, but like them, she helped adorn soul music with new flavors. With her blonde hair, self-preserving slouch, and combat boots, Blige personified street-tough beauty. As she exorcized her demons and softened her style, she remained a hero to thousands of girls growing up in the same kinds of rough places she came from. Blige continually reinvented her career by shedding the habits and influences that kept her down and matured into an expressive singer able to put the full power of her voice behind her music. Bliges rank as "the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" has never been disputable. Each one of the singers proper studio albums, released across a period that has exceeded two decades, debuted within the Top Ten of the Billboard 200. Born in the Bronx on January 11, 1971, Blige spent the first few years of her life in Savannah, Georgia before moving with her mother and older sister to the Schlobam housing projects in Yonkers, New York. Her rough life there produced more than a few scars, physical and otherwise, and Blige dropped out of high school during her junior year, instead spending time doing her friends hair in her mothers apartment and hanging out. When she was at a local mall in White Plains, New York, she recorded herself singing Anita Bakers "Caught Up in the Rapture" into a karaoke machine. The resulting tape was passed by Bliges stepfather to Uptown Records CEO Andre Harrell. Harrell was impressed with Bliges voice and signed her to sing backup for local acts like Father MC. In 1991, however, Sean "Puffy" Combs took Blige under his wing and began working with her on Whats the 411?, her debut album. Combs had a heavy hand in Whats the 411?, along with producers Dave Hall, Mark Morales, and Mark Rooney, and the stylish touches that they added to Bliges unique vocal style created a stunning album that bridged the gap between R&B; and rap in a way that no singer had before. Uptown tried to capitalize on the success of Whats the 411? by issuing a remixed version of it a year later, but it was only a modest success creatively and commercially. Her 1995 follow-up, My Life, again featured Combs handiwork, and if it stepped back stylistically from its urban roots by featuring less of a rap sound, it made up for it with its subject matter. My Life was full of street pathos and Bliges personal pain shone through like a beacon. Her rocky relationship with fellow Uptown artist K-Ci Hailey likely contributed to the raw emotions on the album. The period following the recording of My Life was also a difficult time professionally for Blige, as she severed her ties with Combs and Uptown, hired Suge Knight as a financial advisor, and signed with MCA. However, she soon won her first (of several) Grammy awards: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Ill Be There for You/Youre All I Need to Get By," a duet with Method Man. Released in 1997, Share My World marked the beginning of Bliges creative partnership with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The album was another hit for Blige and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Critics soured somewhat on its more conventional soul sound, but Bliges fans seemed undaunted. By the time her next studio album, Mary, came out in 1999, the fullness and elegance of her new sound seemed more developed, as Blige exuded a classic soul style aided by material from Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Stevie Wonder, and Lauryn Hill. Mary made it obvious that the ghetto-fabulous style and more confrontational aspects of her music were gone, while the emotive power still remained. That power also helped carry the more modern-sounding 2001 release No More Drama, a deeply personal album that remained a collective effort musically yet reflected more of Bliges songwriting than any of her previous efforts. The Mary J. Blige on No More Drama seemed miles away from the flashy kid on Whats the 411?, yet it was still possible to see the path through her music that produced an older, wiser, but still expressive artist. In 2003 she was reunited with P. Diddy, who produced the majority of that years patchy Love and Life album. The Breakthrough followed two years later and was a tremendous success, spawning a handful of major singles. By the December 2006 release of Reflections (A Retrospective), The Breakthroughs lead single, "Be Without You," had spent nearly a year on the R&B; chart, while the albums fifth single, "Take Me as I Am," had been on the same chart for over four months. A year later Blige came out with her eighth studio album, Growing Pains. It was her third consecutive studio album to top both the Billboard 200 and the R&B;/Hip-Hop Albums charts. While on tour with Robin Thicke during 2008, Blige began working on Stronger with Each Tear, which was released near the end of the following year and came one spot short of topping the Billboard 200. My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1), previewed through the Eric Hudson-produced single "25/8," followed in 2011 with appearances from Beyoncé, Drake, Rick Ross, and Busta Rhymes. Like her previous nine studio albums, it reached gold status. (Her first eight surpassed gold to reach either platinum or multi-platinum status.) Her first holiday album, A Mary Christmas, was released in 2013. Early in 2014, she linked with Disclosure for an alternate version of the U.K. dance-production duos single "F for You." A few months later, Blige -- supported by extensive assistance from the-Dream and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, as well as a few other associates -- provided the soundtrack to the comedy Think Like a Man Too. It entered the Billboard Top 200 at number 30 and also reached the Top Ten on Billboards R&B;/Hip Hop Albums chart. Released on Epic, rather than on her home label, it didnt receive the typical level of promotion for a Blige album and, as a result, sold significantly less than her prior releases. Inspired by Disclosure and other genre-blurring singer/songwriters and producers who were emerging from the U.K., she recorded her 13th album in London that summer with the likes of Sam Smith, Naughty Boy, and Emeli Sandé, as well as Disclosure once more. The London Sessions, her first album for Capitol, was released that November and placed two singles in the Top Ten of Billboards Adult R&B; chart. In late 2016 and early 2017, Blige released the first singles from her next proper studio album, including the Kanye West collaboration "Love Yourself." The parent full-length Strength of a Woman arrived in April 2017, and featured further guest spots from DJ Khaled, Missy Elliott, Kaytranada, and others. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. In mid-2018, Blige released the disco-inspired, Pop & Oak-produced single "Only Love" via Republic Records. In May 2019, a collaboration with Nas, "Thriving," appeared ahead of their summer co-headlining tour. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 23 Title: What’s the 411? Released: 1992-07-28 Tracks: 13 Duration: 54:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Leave a Message (03:38) 2 Reminisce (05:24) 3 Real Love (04:32) 4 You Remind Me (04:19) 5 Intro Talk (02:17) 6 Sweet Thing (03:46) 7 Love No Limit (05:01) 8 I Don’t Want to Do Anything (05:52) 9 Slow Down (04:33) 10 My Love (04:14) 11 Changes I’ve Been Going Through (05:15) 12 What’s the 411? (04:14) 13 [untitled] (01:46) |
| What’s the 411? : Allmusic album Review : With this cutting-edge debut, Mary J. Blige became the reigning queen of her own hybrid category: hip-hop soul. The eloquence and evocativeness that comes through in her voice, could be neither borrowed nor fabricated, making Whats the 411? one of the decades most explosive, coming-out displays of pure singing prowess. "Real Love" and the gospel-thrusted "Sweet Thing" (the primary reason for all her Chaka Kahn comparisons) are and will remain timeless slices of soul even after their trendiness has worn off, and "You Remind Me" and the duet with Jodecis K-Ci ("I Dont Want to Do Anything") are nearly as affecting in their own right. Its nevertheless unclear how much of the hip-hop swagger in her soul was a genuine expression of Bliges own vision or that of her admittedly fine collaborators (Svengali Sean "Puffy" Combs, R&B producers Dave Hall and DeVante Swing, rap beatsmith Tony Dofat, rapper Grand Puba). Certainly the singer comes across as street-savvy and tough -- "real," in the lingo of the day -- and even tries her hand at rhyming on the title track, but never again would her records lean this heavily on the sonic tricks of the rap trade. In retrospect, it is easier to place the album into the context of her career and, as such, to pinpoint the occasions when it runs wide of the rails. For instance, the synthesizer-heavy backdrops ("Reminisce," "Love No Limit") are sometimes flatter or more plastic than either the songs or Bliges passionate performances deserve, while the answering-machine skits, much-copied in the wake of Whats the 411?, havent worn well as either stand-alone tracks or conceptual segues. In fact, those who prefer their soul more stirring, heart-on-sleeve, or close to the bone would likely find her fluid, powerfully vulnerable next recording (My Life) or one of the consistently strong subsequent efforts that followed it more to their liking. For broad appeal and historical importance, though, Whats the 411? is an inarguably paramount and trailblazing achievement. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 23 Title: Whats the 411? Remix Released: 1993-12-06 Tracks: 12 Duration: 55:11 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Leave a Message (03:39) 2 You Dont Have to Worry (04:38) 3 My Love (07:13) 4 Real Love (05:01) 5 Whats the 411? (04:52) 6 Reminisce (05:11) 7 Mary & Andre (00:27) 8 Sweet Thing (03:16) 9 Love No Limit (04:05) 10 You Remind Me (05:55) 11 Changes Ive Been Going Through (04:30) 12 I Dont Want to Do Anything (06:20) |
 | Album: 3 of 23 Title: My Life Released: 1994 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:05:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Intro (01:03) 2 Mary Jane (All Night Long) (04:39) 3 You Bring Me Joy (04:13) 4 Marvin Interlude (00:36) 5 Im the Only Women (04:30) 6 K. Murray Interlude (00:22) 7 My Life (04:17) 8 You Gotta Believe (05:02) 9 I Never Wanna Live Without You (06:17) 10 Im Goin Down (03:42) 11 My Life Interlude (01:15) 12 Be With You (04:26) 13 Marys Joint (05:02) 14 Dont Go (04:59) 15 I Love You (04:31) 16 No One Else (04:14) 17 Be Happy (05:49) |
| My Life : Allmusic album Review : Perhaps the single finest moment in Sean "Puffy" Combs musical career has been the production on this, Mary J. Bliges second proper album. The production is not exactly original, and there is evidence here of him borrowing wholesale from other songs. The melodic sources this time around, though, are so expertly incorporated into the music that they never seem to be intrusions, instead playing like inspired dialogues with soulsters from the past, connecting past legacies with a new one. This certainly isnt your parents (or grandparents) soul. But it is some of the finest modern soul of the 90s, backing away to a certain extent from the hip-hop/soul consolidation that Blige introduced on her debut album. The hip-hop part of the combination takes a few steps into the background, allowing Bliges tortured soul to carry the album completely, and it does so with heartwrenching authority. My Life is, from beginning to end, a brilliant, wistful individual plea of desire. Blige took a huge leap in artistry by penning almost everything herself (the major exception being Norman Whitfields "Im Going Down") in collaboration with co-producers Combs and multi-instrumentalist Chucky Thompson, and everything seems to leap directly from her gut. Bliges strain is sleekly modern and urban, and the grit in it comes from being streetwise and thoroughly realistic about the travails of life. My Life, nevertheless, emanates from some deep, dark place where both sadness and happiness cohabitate and turn into one single, beautiful sorrow. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 23 Title: Share My World Released: 1997-04-22 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:11:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Intro (01:24) 2 I Can Love You (04:46) 3 Love Is All We Need (04:14) 4 Round and Round (04:24) 5 Share My World (interlude) (00:30) 6 Share My World (05:07) 7 Seven Days (05:09) 8 Its On (04:41) 9 Thank You Lord (interlude) (00:44) 10 Missing You (04:16) 11 Everything (04:59) 12 Keep Your Head (03:48) 13 Cant Get You Off My Mind (04:39) 14 Get to Know You Better (04:32) 15 Searching (05:05) 16 Our Love (05:21) 17 Not Gon’ Cry (04:52) 18 (You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman (02:56) |
| Share My World : Allmusic album Review : The hype that surrounded Mary J. Blige in the beginning was simply ridiculous. When Whats the 411? was released in 1992, she was exalted as "the new Chaka Khan"-- a definite exaggeration, considering how uneven that debut album was. But Blige did show promise, and by the time she recorded her third album, Share My World, she had developed into a fairly convincing soul/urban singer. Her strongest and most confident effort up to that point, Share had much more character, personality, and honesty than most of the assembly line fare dominating urban radio in 1997. For all their slickness, emotive cuts like "Get to Know You Better," "Love Is All We Need," and "Keep Your Head" left no doubt that Blige was indeed a singer of depth and substance. Although high tech, the production of everyone from R. Kelly (with whom she duets on the inviting "Its On") and Babyface to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis doesnt come across as forced or robotic, but, in fact, is impressively organic. With Share My World, Blige definitely arrived. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 23 Title: The Tour Released: 1998-07-28 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:10:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Intro (00:35) 2 Real Love (01:30) 3 You Remind Me (00:37) 4 Reminisce (02:39) 5 Sweet Thing (04:53) 6 Mary Jane (All Night Long) (02:20) 7 Love No Limit (03:16) 8 Summer Madness (01:42) 9 My Life (02:21) 10 You Gotta Believe (02:27) 11 Slow Down (01:51) 12 Marys Joint (01:30) 13 Im the Only Woman (02:04) 14 Share My World (01:59) 15 Im Goin Down (03:16) 16 Thank You Lord (01:18) 17 I Can Love You (03:44) 18 Keep Your Head (01:10) 19 Everything (06:34) 20 Seven Days (04:24) 21 Not Gon Cry (05:37) 22 Missing You (06:47) 23 Day Dreaming (02:49) 24 Misty Blue (05:08) |
| The Tour : Allmusic album Review : The hype that surrounded Mary J. Blige in 1992 was definitely excessive, and those who exalted her as the "new Chaka Khan" did both Khan and Blige an unforgivable disservice (few could live up to such a title). But as the 1990s progressed, Blige really did evolve into one of the decades most appealing R&B vocalists, and shes in good to excellent form on The Tour, which was recorded on her Share My World Tour of 1997-98. The very fact that a live urban contemporary album came out in the late 1990s was quite surprising; after all, R&B had become so technology-driven and studio-oriented that few R&B artists even bothered to make live albums anymore. But Blige was an exception, and she proves herself capable of taking it to the stage on passionate versions of such hits as "My Life," "Mary Jane (All Night Long)," "Reminisce," and "Marys Joint." Blige could have done without the male band member who tries to function as her onstage cheerleader, but even so, this is an impressive release that her followers will want. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 23 Title: Mary Released: 1999-08-17 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:14:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 All That I Can Say (03:56) 2 Sexy (04:47) 3 Deep Inside (04:20) 4 Beautiful Ones (04:44) 5 I’m in Love (04:50) 6 As (04:41) 7 Time (05:07) 8 Memories (04:38) 9 Don’t Waste Your Time (04:10) 10 Not Lookin (04:49) 11 Your Child (04:40) 12 No Happy Holidays (04:45) 13 The Love I Never Had (05:45) 14 Give Me You (05:03) 15 Let No Man Put Asunder (04:28) 16 Give Me You (Niño radio mix) (03:34) |
| Mary : Allmusic album Review : Perhaps it was inevitable that Mary J. Blige would mature, toning down the raunchier elements of her persona that have been evident since her debut, while repositioning herself as a classicist soul singer. Even so, the sheer classiness of Mary, her fourth album, may come as a bit of a surprise. Blige made a conscious effort to create an album that recalled the classic dawning days of quiet storm yet worked as a unified, cohesive album. That meant that the more overt hip-hop elements have been subdued in favor of 70s soul. Theres still grit in the music, but its been glossed over with a polished production, and she now favors sophisticated songs, including material from such writers as Stevie Wonder, Bacharach/David, Lauryn Hill, and Elton John/Bernie Taupin. Some of these writers were collaborators and others contributed songs outright, but the amazing thing about the end result belongs to nobody else but Blige. Its different, to be sure, but still her -- and its a rewarding, engaging way to mature. Bliges voice is richer and her skills have deepened, and her new songs, while not as streetwise, are worthy of her talents. Consequently, Mary is a thoroughly winning album. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 23 Title: Ballads Released: 2000-12-20 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:18:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Overjoyed (03:46) 2 You Remind Me (04:17) 3 Beautiful (06:29) 4 Everything (04:59) 5 Slow Down (04:30) 6 Never Want to Live Without You (06:13) 7 Seven Days (05:09) 8 (You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman (02:56) 9 I Dont Want to do Anything (live) (06:01) 10 Give Me You (04:09) 11 No Happy Holidays (05:19) 12 Your Child (05:28) 13 Missing You (04:16) 14 I Love You (04:31) 15 Dont Go (05:01) 16 Misty Blue (live) (05:09) |
| Ballads : Allmusic album Review : Mary J. Bliges first compilation, the Japan-only Ballads, collects some of her best slow jams, spanning all of her albums, and brings them together in a cohesive whole, making for an engaging and smooth listening experience, especially for lovers of quiet storm. Some of her ballad hits are not included, most notably her biggest, "Not Gon Cry," but then again, this isnt necessarily a hits collection (and "You Remind Me," included here, is not really a ballad). A few non-album tracks make this compilation worthwhile for the collector, most impressive among them being her stunning cover of Stevie Wonders "Overjoyed," which ranks among the best of Bliges recordings (and is completely unavailable in the U.S.). Bliges aching and tortured voice, coupled with Wonders blissful lyrics about boundless happiness brought about by love, results in a heart-wrenching beauty of a ballad, and easily demonstrates why she is considered by many to be the most gifted American R&B; singer to have emerged in the 1990s. Other treasures include her cover of "Natural Woman" from the New York Undercover soundtrack and her breezy, hip-hop-infused "Beautiful" from the soundtrack to How Stella Got Her Groove Back. Two live tracks are included, those being her duet with K-Ci Hailey, "I Dont Want to Do Anything" from Uptown MTV Unplugged, and another stunner -- her unforgettable rendition of "Misty Blue" from her live album, The Tour. This engaging collection also brings to mind that its time for a U.S. Mary J.Blige hits compilation, and there are enough Blige non-album tracks and duets floating about to warrant a rarities collection as well. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 23 Title: No More Drama Released: 2001-08-18 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:17:14 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Love (02:46) 2 Family Affair (04:26) 3 Steal Away (04:26) 4 He Think I Dont Know (05:37) 5 P.M.S. (04:51) 6 No More Drama (05:26) 7 Rainy Dayz (04:36) 8 Where I’ve Been (04:33) 9 Beautiful Day (03:34) 10 Dance For Me (03:24) 11 No More Drama (P. Diddy/Mario Winans remix) (04:05) 12 Flying Away (04:59) 13 Never Been (04:03) 14 2U (04:45) 15 In the Meantime (04:14) 16 Forever No More (poem) (01:41) 17 Testimony (05:00) 18 Girl From Yesterday (04:41) |
| No More Drama : Allmusic album Review : Mary J. Blige has come a long way since 1992s breakthrough, Whats the 411?, and thats made very clear on this solid disc. The singer/songwriter has blossomed into an all-out R&B diva -- with a hip-hop edge -- full of soul and command. Her songs on this recording exude the wisdom of a woman whos seen it all and has found her center. The womans voice is truly inimitable. Its husky, strong, soulful, and full of maturity. She can still flow like no ones business, too; just check out the bouncy album opener "Love." While love is a common theme, No More Drama is essentially a personal journey through evolution and spirituality. The final cut, "Testimony," best summarizes the albums theme: finding whats real in life. For Blige, thats self-love and God. Blige has a killer instinct for penning lyrics that people can relate to and creating gritty, thick, and soul-infused R&B fare. Her music is more than heard. It is felt, and audiences would be hard-pressed to not surrender to her groove. [No More Drama was re-released in early 2002 with a handful of different tracks.] | ||
 | Album: 9 of 23 Title: Dance for Me Released: 2002-07-22 Tracks: 10 Duration: 1:12:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 No More Drama (Thunderpuss remix) (09:18) 2 Family Affair (Spanish Fly remix) (07:53) 3 Everything (Curtis & Moore remix) (07:08) 4 Rainy Dayz (Thunderpuss remix) (07:58) 5 He Thinks I Dont Know (Hex Hector remix) (08:27) 6 Your Child (Junior Vasquez remix) (07:33) 7 Never Been (Al B Rich remix) (05:36) 8 Dance for Me (G Club remix) (07:13) 9 Give Me You (Extended Nino Radio remix) (06:42) 10 Let No Man Put Asunder (04:20) |
| Dance for Me : Allmusic album Review : Yes, Dance for Me is another remix album from a hip-hop/urban artist, following hot on the heels of high-profile remix releases from P. Diddy and others. But unlike any other mainstream artist, Mary J. Blige has the range and energy of the best disco divas, plus the exquisite taste of any dance scenester -- both of which combine to make Dance for Me one of the best, most innovative remix albums of recent vintage. Included are remixes from producers like Junior Vasquez, Hex Hector, and Barry Harris (from Thunderpuss), whove done dozens of remixes for artists like Blige in the past, and easily display a flair for giving her songs the natural settings they deserve. "No More Drama," the title track from her full-length of 2001, particularly shines after getting treated by Thunderpuss. Tweaked out to nearly ten minutes with no sign of stretch-marks, the song becomes a multi-part epic in the hands of Blige, freestyling like the best dance vocalists of any era, from Loleatta Holloway to La India. "Family Affair," the Dr. Dre production (originally) with the lyric that spawned this albums title, boasts a chunky, classic-disco rework from Spanish Fly, while Vasquez and Hector give their inclusions the high-energy synthetics of hard house. Al B. Rich offers some variety (and a nod to dance taste-makers) with a 2-step groove for "Never Been," and the last track -- Bliges 1999 cover of the seminal disco anthem "Let No Man Put Asunder" by First Choice -- ends it on a high note, proving to anyone whos curious that, no matter who invented the remix, Mary J. Blige is her generations most artistic diva. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 23 Title: Love & Life Released: 2003-08-25 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:18:09 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Love & Life Intro (02:48) 2 Dont Go (04:28) 3 When We (03:36) 4 Not Today (04:13) 5 Finally Made It (interlude) (01:39) 6 Ooh! (04:07) 7 Let Me Be the 1 (04:40) 8 Love @ 1st Sight (05:18) 9 Willing & Waiting (04:19) 10 Free (interlude) (02:04) 11 Friends (04:02) 12 Press On (04:17) 13 Feel Like Makin Love (04:42) 14 Its a Wrap (04:20) 15 Message in Our Music (interlude) (01:49) 16 All My Love (04:16) 17 Special Part of Me (04:33) 18 Ultimate Relationship (A.M.) (05:05) 19 Didn’t Mean (03:44) 20 If I Dont Love You This Way (03:59) |
| Love & Life : Allmusic album Review : Mary J. Blige has made it clear in virtually all of her TV appearances and interviews surrounding her sixth studio album that shes happy with the way things have been going for her, both personally and professionally. Thats more than apparent -- albeit detrimentally apparent -- throughout Love & Life, an album that sees her linking back up with production from P. Diddy and company. The down side is that you can tell that her heart isnt as into the songs that deal with the nastier aspects of relationships. Its that distance that holds the album back from being one of her best; neither she nor her partners shouldve felt obligated to cover so much emotional territory, especially when an albums worth of material here (at least 40 of the 70 minutes) beams with joy (and/or desire) and goes along with where shes at right now. Even on the somewhat clunky lead single, "Love @ 1st Sight," Bliges uplifted spirit is as contagious as it has ever been, and just the sound of her voice is enough to get by on. Though her re-pairing with P. Diddy doesnt return her to the glory of Whats the 411?, at least half a dozen cuts will vie for slots on a future best-of. For 11 years running, Blige remains a durable and consistent artist, and no one is on the verge of dethroning her. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 23 Title: My Collection of Love Songs Released: 2005 Tracks: 8 Duration: 26:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Thank You Lord (00:47) 2 Ooh! (01:39) 3 Love at 1st Sight (02:19) 4 My Life 05 (06:28) 5 Im Going Down (03:27) 6 Cant Hide From Luv (03:55) 7 Be Without You (04:34) 8 Cant Hide Love (03:48) |
 | Album: 12 of 23 Title: The Breakthrough Released: 2005-12-09 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:12:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 No One Will Do (04:46) 2 Enough Cryin’ (04:20) 3 About You (04:04) 4 Be Without You (04:06) 5 Gonna Breakthrough (04:00) 6 Good Woman Down (04:07) 7 Take Me as I Am (03:57) 8 Baggage (03:35) 9 Can’t Hide From Luv (03:52) 10 MJB da MVP (04:10) 11 Can’t Get Enough (03:40) 12 Ain’t Really Love (04:39) 13 I Found My Everything (05:23) 14 Father in You (05:23) 15 Alone (04:29) 16 One / Mary J. Blige - Show Love (08:18) |
| The Breakthrough : Allmusic album Review : At the end of 2005, Mary J. Bliges career was supposed to be anthologized. The singer had her way, however, and one of her best studio albums came out instead. In retrospect, her previous album, 2003s Love & Life, was awkward; the P. Diddy collaborations, likely intended to recapture the magic the duo put together on Whats the 411? and My Life, didnt always pay off, and Blige was about to become a wife, so the songs steeped in heartbreak and disappointment werent delivered with as much power as they had been in the past. The Breakthrough also contains some of the drama that fans expect, despite Bliges continued happiness, but its clear that she has gained enough distance from the uglier parts of her past that she can inhabit them and, once again, deliver those songs. The past does play a significant role in the album, as in "Baggage," where she apologies to her husband for bringing it into their relationship. "Father in You" sounds like a note-perfect facsimile of a classic soul ballad, rising and falling and twisting with a sensitive string arrangement, but the lyrics are pure Blige, acknowledging the ways in which her husband has made up for the absence of her father. On the nearly anthemic "Good Woman Down," she sees a less matured version of herself in young women and uses her experiences to advise. She jacks the beat from the Games "Hate It or Love It" for "MJB da MVP," where she reflects on her career, thanks her supporters, and reasserts her rightful position as the queen of hip-hop soul. Its one of several tracks to beam with a kind of contentment and confidence that Blige has never before possessed. Take "Cant Hide from Love," where shes such a force that Jay-Z dishes out a quick introduction and knows to stay out of the way for the remainder of the track, or the glorious "I Found My Everything," her "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." Beat for beat, the album features the best round of productions Blige has been handed since the mid-90s. Apart from only a couple lukewarm tracks and a poorly recorded version of "One" with U2, it is completely correct. | ||
 | Album: 13 of 23 Title: Mary J. Blige & Friends Released: 2006-10-31 Tracks: 9 Duration: 39:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Whenever I Say Your Name (05:23) 2 Ask Myself (03:46) 3 Ain’t No Way (04:27) 4 Love Changes (04:29) 5 Alone (04:29) 6 Favorite Flavor (03:24) 7 Love Is All We Need (04:14) 8 My Man (04:32) 9 I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues (05:08) |
 | Album: 14 of 23 Title: Reflections: A Retrospective Released: 2006-12-04 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:18:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Reflections (I Remember) (04:07) 2 We Ride (I See the Future) (03:57) 3 You Know (03:34) 4 King and Queen (03:45) 5 No More Drama (04:27) 6 Family Affair (04:26) 7 Real Love (04:31) 8 No One Will Do (04:46) 9 Be Without You (04:06) 10 I’m Going Down (03:41) 11 911 (04:20) 12 Not Gon’ Cry (04:52) 13 My Life ’06 (05:07) 14 Be Happy (05:39) 15 I’ll Be There for You / You’re All I Need to Get By (Razor Sharp mix) (03:41) 16 As (original) (04:44) 17 One (04:21) 18 MJB da MVP (04:10) |
| Reflections: A Retrospective : Allmusic album Review : From 1992s "You Remind Me" through 2006s "Take Me as I Am," Mary J. Blige netted 16 Top Ten R&B singles, making the end of 2006 the ideal time to produce an anthology collecting the singers biggest hits. A 16-track disc with nothing but Top Ten hits would be undeniable -- though, admittedly, not faultless since the 15 years of highlights cannot be contained on one disc -- a rather thorough and pleasing collection that would have no problem selling steadily for several years. Unfortunately, Reflections (A Retrospective) is nowhere close to being that straightforward. A mere handful of the Top Ten hits are included; while obvious picks like "Be Happy," "Real Love," "Not Gon Cry," and "Be Without You" are present, a casual fan could rattle off just as many well-known songs that are not. (For starters, there are "You Remind Me," "Sweet Thing," "Deep Inside," "Love @ 1st Sight," and "Take Me as I Am.") Part of why the disc is missing so much is because over a quarter of it consists of new material; since Blige was still very active in 2006, the label found it necessary to maximize the sales potential by targeting the serious fans as much as the casual ones. By no means are the new songs poor, but none of them stand up to Bliges best singles. The same can be said of 2000s "911," where Blige guests for Wyclef Jean -- a well-chosen disc of Bliges best collaborations wouldnt include it. The other glaring gripe is the favoring of "Ill Be There for You/Youre All I Need to Get By"s "Razor Sharp Mix" over the original. With all these issues, its impossible to not think of the disc as a first volume in desperate need of a follow-up. One of many things authenticating Bliges greatness is that this disc, for all its foul-ups, remains a completely enjoyable (if not completely satisfying) listen. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 23 Title: Growing Pains Released: 2007-12-18 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:20:54 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Work That (03:30) 2 Grown Woman (04:05) 3 Just Fine (04:02) 4 Feel Like a Woman (04:02) 5 Stay Down (04:22) 6 Hurt Again (04:07) 7 Shake Down (03:36) 8 Till the Morning (04:17) 9 Nowhere Fast (03:46) 10 Roses (04:35) 11 Fade Away (04:15) 12 What Love Is (04:03) 13 Work in Progress (Growing Pains) (04:00) 14 Talk to Me (04:09) 15 If You Love Me? (edited version) (03:22) 16 Smoke (03:10) 17 Come to Me (Peace) (05:01) 18 Hello It’s Me (04:08) 19 Mirror (03:54) 20 Sleep Walkin (04:24) |
| Growing Pains : Allmusic album Review : Eight albums into her career and comfortably settled into married life -- and, for the most part, herself -- Mary J. Blige continues to prove her versatility and strength, building off 2005s The Breakthrough, but not copying from it. Her increased self-confidence, some of which comes from confessing her all-too-human flaws, makes Growing Pains a mature, polished, and utterly professional set of well-crafted songs. Blige, as always, is in great vocal form: her clear, distinctive voice carries the record with its dips and swoops and cries, but the embellishments never get in the way of melody, never replace the meaning of words with excessive vibrato or melisma. Musically, in fact, the album takes an even greater step toward pop (foreshadowed, no doubt, by the cover of U2s "One" on her previous release), with songs like "Fade Away," which borrows heavily from 80s pop, and "Talk to Me," which is informed by classic soul and uses an Emotions sample underneath the guitars and keyboards, helping to set the overall tone. Blige certainly hasnt lost her title of Queen of Hip-Hop Soul -- the opening "Work That" is all swagger and affirmation with a great urban beat, the Neptunes-produced "Till the Morning" is funky and warm, and "Stay Down" takes a look back at mid-90s R&B with rambling lyrical lines, including a fantastic reference to The Jeffersons, but shes opened herself up to more styles here, and successfully. She has been able to do what few others before her have: cater to her crossover audience without losing the essence of what she really is and where she came from, and so all of Growing Pains, from its upbeat beginning to its reflective, personal ending (though the last track, "Come to Me (Peace)" is the only real miss on the entire album), doesnt seem forced or calculated. These are strong songs, songs that keep hooks in mind, and while Bliges lyrics can occasionally border on cheesy -- like on "What Love Is," for example -- the very sincere passion she expresses, both in her voice and her words, is enough to erase, or at least fade, the platitudes, leaving only the emotion, the doubt and the love and the insecurity and the confidence and the talent, making for a very complete and satisfying listen. | ||
 | Album: 16 of 23 Title: Soul Is Forever: The Remix Album Released: 2008-06-02 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:05:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Work That (remix) (03:49) 2 Just Fine (remix) (04:18) 3 Ooh (remix) (02:53) 4 The Finest (remix) (04:49) 5 One (04:21) 6 Wake Up Call (Mark Ronson remix) (03:13) 7 You’re Welcome (04:57) 8 Sleepwalkin (remix) (04:25) 9 Mirror (remix) (03:54) 10 Reminisce (Bad Boy remix) (05:07) 11 I Love You (05:23) 12 Come Close (01:56) 13 Me & You (04:14) 14 Be Without You (live Grammy performance) (04:15) 15 Beautiful (remix) (02:15) 16 Deep Inside (remix) (02:19) 17 I’m Goin’ Down (Juice remix) (03:28) |
 | Album: 17 of 23 Title: No More Drama / Love & Life Released: 2009 Tracks: 38 Duration: 2:34:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Love (02:46) 2 Family Affair (04:26) 3 Steal Away (04:26) 4 He Think I Dont Know (05:37) 5 P.M.S. (04:51) 6 No More Drama (05:26) 7 Rainy Dayz (04:36) 8 Where I’ve Been (04:33) 9 Beautiful Day (03:34) 10 Dance For Me (03:24) 11 No More Drama (P. Diddy/Mario Winans remix) (04:05) 12 Flying Away (04:59) 13 Never Been (04:03) 14 2U (04:45) 15 In the Meantime (04:14) 16 Forever No More (poem) (01:41) 17 Testimony (05:00) 18 Dance for Me (Plutonium remix) (03:25) 1 Love & Life Intro (02:48) 2 Dont Go (04:28) 3 When We (03:36) 4 Not Today (04:13) 5 Finally Made It (interlude) (01:39) 6 Ooh! (04:07) 7 Let Me Be the 1 (04:40) 8 Love @ 1st Sight (05:18) 9 Willing & Waiting (04:19) 10 Free (interlude) (02:04) 11 Friends (04:02) 12 Press On (04:17) 13 Feel Like Makin Love (04:42) 14 Its a Wrap (04:20) 15 Message in Our Music (interlude) (02:14) 16 All My Love (04:16) 17 Special Part of Me (04:33) 18 Ultimate Relationship (A.M.) (05:05) 19 Didn’t Mean (03:44) 20 Whenever I Say Your Name (04:02) |
 | Album: 18 of 23 Title: Stronger With Each Tear Released: 2009-12-18 Tracks: 12 Duration: 48:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Tonight (04:00) 2 The One (03:13) 3 Said and Done (03:23) 4 Good Love (04:01) 5 I Feel Good (03:47) 6 I Am (03:23) 7 Each Tear (04:15) 8 I Love U (Yes I Du) (03:23) 9 We Got Hood Love (04:15) 10 Kitchen (04:30) 11 In the Morning (04:35) 12 I Can See in Color (05:32) |
| Stronger With Each Tear : Allmusic album Review : Stronger with Each Tears first four songs are decorated like NASCAR vehicles, with IDs from the Runners and Akon, Rodney Jerkins, Ryan Leslie, Stereotypes, and T.I. all heard before the voice of Mary J. Blige enters the mix. Sound logos and gratuitous self-serving plugs from producers and guest MCs are nothing new in mainstream R&B, but when an album by Mary J. Blige is dominated by them, in such an extended succession, a longtime follower’s minor irritation has the potential to turn to low-level rage. And while it is also understandable that the appearance of 2009 breakout star Drake on “The One” will help boost sales, the disparity is glaring; the MC was five years old when What’s the 411? was released. Trey Songz, featured on another track, wasn’t much older. Even when factoring these matters, Stronger with Each Tear is a very good Blige album, if not a classic. One of her briefest sets, it is tremendously (almost studiously) balanced between all the ground she has covered so well before. That’s no criticism, though, since most of the songs are easily memorable and display so much range. Those who detest “The One” on principle, for its use of Auto-Tune, need only to forward to the album’s final song, a quiet and sparse throwback (to 40-plus years ago) production from Raphael Saadiq in which Blige professes new love to chilling effect. | ||
 | Album: 19 of 23 Title: My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1) Released: 2011-11-21 Tracks: 14 Duration: 57:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Intro (01:16) 2 Feel Inside (05:07) 3 Midnight Drive (04:12) 4 Next Level (04:13) 5 Ain’t Nobody (04:03) 6 25/8 (03:55) 7 Dont Mind (03:57) 8 No Condition (04:27) 9 Mr. Wrong (04:01) 10 Why (04:21) 11 Love a Woman (04:31) 12 Empty Prayers (03:15) 13 Need Someone (03:54) 14 The Living Proof (05:51) |
| My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1) : Allmusic album Review : Intro excepted, a devout Mary J. Blige fan could listen to these 70 minutes of music as an untitled album and never think of it as a sequel to 1994s My Life. Technically titled My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1) -- yes, it’s the first act of a continuation -- it’s more the successor to Blige’s previous album, Stronger with Each Tear. Blige is in a much different, presumably much better place now than she was when she made the turbulent My Life. That album has one guest who appears during a half-minute interlude; there really isn’t much room for any other voice. My Life II, like Stronger, is more like My Life and Those of Others Who Join Me, as it is it involves a succession of high-profile guests: Nas, Busta Rhymes, Drake, Rick Ross, Beyoncé, Diddy, and Lil Wayne. Those who are hoping for something in the spirit of mid-‘90s Blige might be disappointed and think of the title as a ploy, but those who expect a wide variety of material in terms of style, mood, and quality will get precisely that. The first half contains several uplifting, upbeat numbers, including a strong cover of Rufus & Chaka Khans “Ain’t Nobody,” where producer Rodney Jerkins seems to have placed the synthesizer bass from René & Angelas “I’ll Be Good” in a deep fryer. Chest-beating pleader “25/8” clearly aims for classic status with a Gamble/Huff sample. The second half, as with almost every other second half of a 70-minute album, sags. There are numerous ballads that drift along at similar tempos, yet the sonic makeup from one track to another greatly varies, and not one of them truly sticks out to rank with Blige’s best. The album lacks Stronger with Each Tears focus and really bears no relation to My Life, apart from being an album by Mary J. Blige. | ||
 | Album: 20 of 23 Title: A Mary Christmas Released: 2013-10-15 Tracks: 12 Duration: 46:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Little Drummer Boy (04:11) 2 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (04:39) 3 My Favorite Things (03:53) 4 This Christmas (03:20) 5 The Christmas Song (03:56) 6 Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (02:30) 7 When You Wish Upon a Star (03:45) 8 Mary, Did You Know (03:51) 9 Do You Hear What I Hear? (04:22) 10 Petit Papa Noël (04:00) 11 The First Noel (04:27) 12 Noche de Paz (Silent Night) (03:28) |
| A Mary Christmas : Allmusic album Review : A truly Mary Christmas would match the distraught look on the cover. Bliges first Christmas album, guided by David Foster and Jochem van der Saag, doesnt feature sad or embittered chestnuts like "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" or "Fairytale of New York" (was Method Man busy?). Instead, it contains a mix of standard holiday songs -- a couple playful, many solemn, all dramatic. Its a big production; an orchestra backs Blige on most of the songs. She pours herself into all of the material, even when shes joined by Jessie J (of all people) for a version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" that is overcooked. It could use a couple more joyous songs in the vein of Donny Hathaways "This Christmas," which is a delight despite so many versions since the original 1970 version. A Mary Christmas wont likely reach the high status of, say, Mariah Careys Merry Christmas, but its a full-effort holiday release that many of her fans should be able to enjoy for several years. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 23 Title: Think Like a Man Too Released: 2014-06-17 Tracks: 14 Duration: 56:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 A Night to Remember (04:15) 2 Vegas Nights (03:06) 3 Moment of Love (04:08) 4 See That Boy Again (04:14) 5 Wonderful (03:32) 6 Kiss and Make Up (03:32) 7 Cargo (03:03) 8 Suitcase (03:49) 9 I Want You (06:16) 10 Self Love (03:44) 11 Power Back (03:56) 12 All Fun and Games (04:46) 13 Better (04:07) 14 Propose (04:22) |
| Think Like a Man Too : Allmusic album Review : Instead of offering another set of mostly forgettable material from assorted R&B; and rap artists, the soundtrack for the sequel to Think Like a Man takes a different approach. It provides an all-new set of material from Mary J. Blige. Her first non-holiday release since 2011s My Life II, it aligns her with the-Dream and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart on seven cuts -- thats half the album -- as well as several other writers and producers. The match with the most star power is heard on "See That Boy Again," a collaboration with Pharrell Williams. Its a solid, elegant 70s throwback dashed with Latin, Philly, and Memphis soul touches and an easy groove. Its trailed by a sweet and sunny midtempo cut ("Wonderful") and a stunning ballad ("Kiss and Make Up"), both of which involve an extensive crew centered around the duo of Andrew "Pop" Wansel and Warren "Oak" Felder (Elle Varner, K. Michelle). Nostalgia naturally factors quite heavily, made plain off the bat with an opening faithful cover of Shalamars "A Night to Remember" (a Rodney Jerkins production on which Blige could have used a Howard Hewett) and the following Dream duet "Vegas Nights," a slick dance cut that references more soul artists than Kanye Wests "Slow Jamz." The Dream/Tricky productions are generally fine, if nothing special. The one that sounds least like their work -- "Cargo," involving soft electric piano and a breakbeat instantly familiar to old hip-hop heads -- is the best of the lot. For Blige fans, the amount of upbeat material -- relative to Bliges anguish-rich discography -- is refreshing, yet they get plenty of heartache as well. As a soundtrack, its an enjoyable change of pace. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 23 Title: The London Sessions Released: 2014-11-24 Tracks: 12 Duration: 45:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Therapy (03:23) 2 Doubt (03:59) 3 Not Loving You (03:27) 4 When Youre Gone (03:24) 5 Right Now (03:50) 6 My Loving (04:26) 7 Long Hard Look (03:37) 8 Whole Damn Year (04:12) 9 Nobody but You (04:39) 10 Pick Me Up (03:07) 11 Follow (04:09) 12 Worth My Time (03:29) |
| The London Sessions : Allmusic album Review : Mary J. Blige had a productive 2014. Early in the year, she linked with Disclosure for an alternate version of the U.K. duos "F for You" and performed with them in New York. A few months later, there was the release of the all-Blige soundtrack for the comedy Think Like a Man Too, which consisted of new material but was neither presented nor promoted like one of her standard releases. At some point, Blige signed to Capitol, and she took longtime collaborator Rodney Jerkins to England to work more with Disclosure, as well as with other emerging songwriters and producers, including Vibe cover star Sam Smith, Naughty Boy, and Emeli Sandé. The move was evidently significant enough to warrant the albums title and the placement of the collaborators names on the cover. Its not that the changeup revitalized Blige. The London Sessions just happens to have her best round of songs, productions, and performances since The Breakthrough, the 2005 album Smith references in one of several unnecessary testimonials and interview snippets placed throughout the sequence of songs. A couple moments are stilted and theres some substandard songwriting, such as the woeful "Ill keep gettin up, cause thats what Im goin to do/Gonna be the best me, Im sorry if it kills you," from the otherwise fine "Doubt." The London Sessions nonetheless offers a sharp mix of duly aching ballads and substantive, highly detailed club tracks that are in the soul-rooted lineage of classics she has referenced, covered, and emulated throughout her career. Blige sounds as comfortable as ever over the scuffing percussion, prodding synthesizers, and even the noodling clarinet heard, at various points, in the likes of "Right Now," "My Loving," "Pick Me Up," and "Follow." The songs explore themes familiar to Bliges listeners, yet little is less than fresh. Among the ballads, the Sandé collaboration "Whole Damn Year" is the most striking, disarming in its depiction of recovering from emotional and physical abuse, while "Therapy," one of four songs made with Smith, is surprisingly understated, seemingly inspired more by Anthony Hamiltons Southern gospel-soul. | ||
 | Album: 23 of 23 Title: Strength of a Woman Released: 2017-04-28 Tracks: 14 Duration: 57:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Love Yourself (04:59) 2 Thick of It (04:02) 3 Set Me Free (03:30) 4 Its Me (04:31) 5 Glow Up (04:06) 6 U + Me (Love Lesson) (04:57) 7 Indestructible (04:44) 8 Thank You (04:05) 9 Survivor (04:45) 10 Find the Love (03:24) 11 Smile (03:42) 12 Telling the Truth (03:57) 13 Strength of a Woman (03:49) 14 Hello Father (03:19) |
| Strength of a Woman : Allmusic album Review : On Strength of a Woman, Mary J. Blige covers a lot of lyrical ground familiar to anyone who has heard her 11 previous studio albums. A significant fraction of this sets sentiments are clichéd. There are self-help platitudes such as "You gotta love yourself before you love someone else," along with timeworn redemptive declarations like "I was lost but now Im found" and "Now Im finally free to be me." In fairness, the stock phrases are delivered with conviction, understandably weighed with a sense of "Not this bull again." The alleged extramarital antics that dragged Blige back into this darkness, after all, are as clichéd as it gets. Clearly the time wasnt right for Blige to record a bunch of feel-good jams, but in the listeners favor, the anguish has also inspired the singer and her co-writers and producers -- Brandon Hodge, Darhyl Camper, Jr., Prince Charlez, and Jazmine Sullivan, along with many others -- to illustrate these ballads of confrontation and perseverance with enough specifics to distinguish them from the past work. Take "Set Me Free," where a swanky, winding backdrop supports stinging "hmph" lines like "You musta lost it -- n*gga, you wont get a dime," followed by "Theres a special place in hell for you" in dismissive high register. A clinking Kaytranada collaboration ("Telling the Truth"), a back-stabbed weeper that bares Sullivans unmistakable touch ("Thank You"), and a machine-soul ballad worthy of an extended 12" mix ("U + Me [Love Lesson]") likewise could not have been made at any other point in Bliges career. A few songs do depart from expressing pain and the documentation of recovery. Brightest of all is "Find the Love," pure early-80s boogie throwback. Just beneath that is the title track, a theatrical empowerment anthem that would likely close just about any other album. Instead, extra punctuation is provided by "Hello Father," another gem. It contains one of the hours best grooves, provided by Hit-Boy, and is all devotional finesse. | ||