A Classic!

It dont get no better than this right here. This album is a classic. I can't believe so many people slept on this one. Its so much emotion in this one. Vocally she's at her best. She even gave Aretha a run for her money on this album. My favorite MJB track of all time is also on this one (THE LOVE I NEVER HAD). God ya'll please cop this album. I promise you won't be disappointed. Listen to her runs & riffs, her scatting. Shes on top of her game on this one.



Also, Mary is singing with live instruments and it so soulful!

Yep, It's Mature, It's Pure, It's Mary

I've been listening to Mary J Blige's music ever since her debut album, "What's The 411?" was released back in 1992. The album was so innovative and groundbreaking becuase few artists were doing what Blige was doing at the time, mixing hip-hop and R&B together. But, ever since that album and her 1994 classic, "My Life", Mary has been excessively using hip-hop elements to keep reinventing her sound. One her fourth album, simply titled, "Mary", Blige truly sounds like a mature artist. On this album, she throws away her raw and gritty hip-hop production, in favor of a more polished and glossy soulful sound. The opening, "All That I Can Say", which is written and produced by Lauryn Hill, is a lushy and moody ballad that has Mary echoing Stevie Wonder's sound. "Sexy" is probably the only song on here that has a true hip-hop sound, with Mary looping the melody and lyrics of the Michael Jackson tune, "I Can't Help It", which was written by Stevie Wonder. JadaKiss also does some brilliant rapping here. "Deep Inside" is all about stardom and its ups and downs. This track has Elton John replaying a piano loop from his 1973 hit, "Bennie And The Jets". "Beautiful Ones" is a mid-tempo ballad that has some beautiful and soft acoustic guitar being played throughout the song. It's a very elegant tune. "I'm In Love" is a personal favorite of mine. On this tune, Mary does a refreshing cover of The Gap Band's memorable ballad. "Time", a song that is brilliantly co-written by Stevie Wonder, is a haunting, yet introspective tune with Mary basically talking about the world's problems. She even loops the orchestral bridge off of Stevie's 1976 hit, "Pastime Paradise". "Memories" is a mid-tempo, sophisticated ballad with Blige covering her aspect on relationships. "Don't Waste Your Time" has Mary doing an amazing duet with the Queen Of Soul: Aretha Franklin. On this track, Aretha gives Blige some advice, telling her to just leave the man alone. This amazing ballad is produced by Babyface. "Not Lookin'" has Blige doing a harsh duet with her ex-boyfriend, K.C. Hailey of K.C. and Jo-Jo and also the group, Jodeci. In this song, they share some disturbing confessions of their relationship with the listeners, they also realize that they both made some mistakes. The song also has some explicit language. Both "Your Child" and "No Happy Holidays" are the most important songs on here. The first one, "Your Child" is a low-key ballad with Blige talking about finding out her boyfriend has a child with another woman, but he denies that it's his child. The other track, "No Happy Holidays" is about her boyfriend not spending time with her on special romantic occasions, especially different holidays. "The Love I Never Had" has Mary recalling a stong influence in 70's soul. The song has a lot of live-sounding instruments being played throughout the song. "Give Me You" is a nice ballad that shows Mary's maturity clearly. The song was written by Diane Warren. "Let No Man Put Asunder" has Mary showing a strong influence in disco and dance music.



Although I consider her 1994 classic, "My Life" as her finest album, "Mary" is her most unified and acclaimed record. It shows how mature and consistent she really is. From an artistic standpoint, "Mary" is a better collection of songs than an overall statement like "My Life" was. "Mary" is very coherent and this is her most collaborative album. She works with everybody from Aretha Franklin to Elton John. This album should be in every R&B collection because the consistency and talent Blige puts in this album is special in every way. A-

The QUEEN Speaks Again!!!!!!

She dose over and over again. She comes with that heart felt soul that makes you want to cry with her, love with her, and join in on any feeling she is feeling. When she sings "The Love I Never Had" i feel her hurt. When she sings "I'm In Love" I feel her love. Close your eyes and play this cd you find your self on yet another Mary Journey.

When Mary broke my heart

I had been a committed die hard Mary fan up until she dropped this CD and it has gotten worse ever since. I tried hard to like this CD. I listened to it over and over and it still didn't work for me. The only song I liked was Deep Inside and All That I Can Say was tolerable. This CD didn't have the heart or soul behind what I am used to from Mary. I was hurt and disappointed. For those of you who liked a different Mary, I recommend earlier albums like My Life and Share My World.

This CD is tight! Mary J rules!

This CD was one of her best. Enough said, get it, do not download or rip.