Few Remixes Stand Out...

This 1993 remix project gave Mary J. Blige fans a tease before the onslaught of her classic sophomore album, "My Life". While this album was influenced heavily by the remixers, Mary's voice exudes the tracks with warmth and passion.

Of the 12 remixes, about half of them come close to the originals. "Real Love" and "What's The 411?" get you bumpin' with ill rap verses from then up-and-comer Notorious B.I.G. (both remixes produced by Sean "Puffy" Combs). "Reminisce" features the slick style of rapper C.L. Smooth. Then "Puffy" Combs returns to remix "Love No Limit" and "You Remind Me". The one remix that truly outshines the original is Teddy Riley's remix of "My Love", featuring Heavy D.

The remaining remixes are less than sub-par. The DJ intros could have been left off. However, this was only a sign of things to come for the young Queen of Hip-Hop Soul. A definitive must-buy for any Mary fan young and old.

Musical "maturity" comes with age!

There is a significant contrast between this album, an early-in-her-career production, and either one of the latter FOUR in Miss Blige's discography. Maybe, the hardcore hip-hop purists prefer the "edge" of the singer's songs featured here, in slightly or significantly altered forms, but I definitely prefer the Blige of today.

The tracks feature some up-and-coming (Puffy, represented on several) as well as established (Teddy Riley, for starters)producers. Each puts his mark on the singer, allowing her some "breathing room" to show an artist on the verge of soaring to the top of the musical charts. Sadly, there is too much "overkill" with rap intros, percussion-heavy background "beats", and an overabundance of profanity.
This, like her debut album, allows the present-day audience to see a "work in development".

Thankfully, however, Miss Blige has moved from the "little girl" to a woman that stands alone as the undisputed "Queen of Hip Hop"...with a larger than normal bit of class.

This Is How A Remix Album Should Be Done!

Mary J. Blige released this remix album about a year after the original album came out. The songs already had a hip hop edge to them but now they have been revamped with even more hip hop. This is quite an enjoyable album especially if you just chilling at the crib with some folks (which I do a lot). Every remix is tight save for the Sweet Thing remix...you just can't remix that type of song and keep the same tempo and have it be good. Notorious BIG raps on two of the songs (Real Love and What's The 411) so that's another plus. But the X-Factor here is Mary J. Blige. She just has a knack for making great tracks and albums. Buy This Album right now if you haven't already. 5 Stars.