When I heard 'Be Without You' about a month or so ago, Mary J Blige was a name not foreign to my ears, however my knowledge of her was really nil, for those who know nothing about her, she first emerged in the early 1990s when I was nothing but a wee baby, at this time her mix of hip-hop and ... Read review
The Breakthrough - CD
No One Will Do Enough Cryin - featuring Brook About You - featuring Will.I.am Be Without ... more
You Gonna Breakthrough - featuring Brook Good Woman Down Take Me As I Am Baggage Can't Hide From Luv - featuring Jay-Z MJB Da MVP Can't Get Enough Ain't Really L...
A review by rabbiter on Breakthrough, The - Mary J. Blige December 29th, 2005
Author's product rating:
Originality
Groundbreaking
Lyrics
Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks
Flawless
Value for Money
Excellent
Advantages:
Beautiful
Disadvantages:
Cannot fault !
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
When I heard 'Be Without You' about a month or so ago, Mary J Blige was a name not foreign to my ears, however my knowledge of her was really nil, for those who know nothing about her, she first emerged in the early 1990s when I was nothing but a wee baby, at this time her mix of hip-hop and soul caught peoples attention and she was then named the Queen of Hip-hop soul. She has been little seen since 2003, however recently she re-emerged singing the song 'One' with U2 at Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast for Hurricane Katrina.
But we digress, I will continue with the reviewing of this album. Instead of going in depth with all 18 songs I have decided to write about my top 6 tracks. Trust me this was a hard task picking out my favourites, indeed it was almost impossible - I love them all - but here we go (the things I do for you!), in no particular order:
Track one - No One Will Do The first song on this album; this is an amazingly strong beginning, every album needs a good first track and believe me this song excels in its task. It sets the mood for the whole album - strong, emotional, meaningful, and beautiful. This song represents the whole album and Mary J Blige sounds utterly fantastic, her voice is absolutely amazing, I am not sure that it isn't the best voice I have ever heard!
Track four - Be Without You It was this song which had me hooked, and are you surprised? If you haven't already heard it, please do go and find it somewhere on the internet, I am sure you will agree it is truly special. It is a strong beautiful track, Mary J Blige sounds amazing, she sings with such utter conviction. What else can I say? I really cannot do the song justice with my meagre words, so I will discontinue with my ramblings.
Track seven - Take Me As I Am From the first note it is obvious that this song is going to be great, the beginning is strong and this remains a consistent factor throughout. Once again Mary J Blige sounds exquisite, amazing; singing with such emotion and feeling.
Track twelve - Ain't Really Love Great tune. Fantastic beat. Amazing singer. This song has it all, all the ingredients to make it perfect. It's smooth, emotional, but not boring as a song like this could easily be. Mary J Blige's voice suits this song perfectly, she sounds incredible, perfect, she sings the song with more than just conviction, we can see she knows what she is singing, she understands the emotions she is describing, she believes it, every last word she sings. I struggle to continue with my description of this song; how do you describe magic?
Track fifteen - Alone FEAT Dave Young At this point once again I struggle for words, each song that is played seems better than the previous, even when I play the CD back to front! This duet is gorgeous, smooth like milk chocolate, but with a sparkle like honeycomb (God, I love Crunchies!). The song is stunning, amazing, beautiful. I just cannot explain. I have never heard of Dave Young, but without him this song would lack the honeycomb, his voice blends so well with Mary J Blige's it is perfect.
BONUS TRACK - So Lady FEAT Raphael Saadiq 'I feel so lady, When I'm with you, When I'm round you.' The last of my favourite tracks - this is once again an amazing song, a bit more upbeat than some of the previous, with an irresistibly funky beat bound to have you dancing in seconds. It is a great song, I do love it so so so much, it is so smooth, a real mix of soul with a hip-hop beat, very sexy!
Other songs that narrowly missed my top 6 include, 'Enough Crying', 'Can't Hide From Luv FEAT Jay-Z', 'I Found My Everything', 'One WITH U2' and to tell the truth nearly every other track on the CD!
For those wondering the track listing goes as such: 1. No One Will Do 2. Enough Crying FEAT Brook (Sexy, strong, irresistible song with an amazing beat and tune) 3. About You FEAT Will.I.Am (Another amazing song where MJB's voice sounds truly angelically) 4. Be Without You 5. Gonna Breakthrough FEAT Brook (Happy, beautiful track, so positive, brings a smile to my face every time I hear it!) 6. Good Woman Down (Stunningly beautiful track addressing the problem of domestic violence and how to get through it) 7. Take Me As I Am 8. Baggage (Catchy beat, lovely tune, what have I forgotten? Oh yes Mary J Blige - the cherry on top of the iceing on the cake!) 9. Can't Hide From Luv FEAT Jay Z (Smooth, stunning but with that overwhelming pinch of spice (Jay-Z)) 10. MJB da MVP (Remember the Game's Hate It or Love It? G-Unit did a remix on 50 Cent's album, well this is MJB's version! Sounds great) 11. Can't Get Enough (Smooth, irresistible, God, I sound like a Cadbury's Caramel advert!) 12. Ain't Really Love 13. I Found My Everything FEAT Raphael Saadiq (Another smooth, sexy, suave song - wow could almost be a description for a man, 'cept men aren't that good!) 14. Father In You (Beautifully emotional song MJB's voice sounds crazily amazing) 15. Alone FEAT Dave Young 16. One - Mary J Blige WITH U2 (Sounds vaguely familiar, but if you haven't heard it, take my word it is a superb collaboration) BONUS TRACK. So Lady FEAT Raphael Saadiq BONUS TRACK. Show Love (Funky song, great beat and tune provides the perfect ending to the amazing album!)
You may have noticed I have not marked any songs out of 10 as is my usual custom, this being because I believe they all deserve 10/10, seriously this is the best album I own. I have often rated CDs 5 stars, but believe me, not again unless they truly match this CD! I could listen to it all day - it fits all occasions, whether you want it in the background, yet properly listening to it is a real pleasure.
The album is available to purchase in HMV for £13.99, most supermarkets will sell it for about £10 or less, it is also available on http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000CDGT50/qid=1135879815/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/203-7487870-4760758 for £8.99 - just go and buy it.
Please remember I do not own any other music by Mary J Blige, therefore I am not reviewing this compared to another of her works.
For all you Mary J fans who Bought No More Drama and loved that Album - well you will love this more even more. I'm not going ot go throughevery single track etc.. etc.. as its already been done by other reveiwers, all I will say is this album if definitely one of the best ones I have bought in LONG time and I cant stop listening to it.
The album has a mix of upbeat R'N'B with some lovely slow soulfill tracks. All the songs are really GOOD and choosing ... ...the one I least like is One feat U2 - compared to the rest this one is not as good.
I purchased My CD from HMV for £9.99, but you can also get in Asda - 8.97 or Play.com - £8.99 and Bangcd.com - £6.99
My last word - But it! ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: The magnificant quality of the music Disadvantages: Insignificant!
After hearing the first single a few months ago, I finally succumed to buy 'The Breakthrough'. This is an incredibly inspirational album and drifts effortlessly from beautiful harmonies such as 'Be Without You' and 'Take Me As I Am' to upbeat and lifting tunes such as 'Enough Cryin'. The melodies and beats enthused in this music is really one-of-a-kind. This album is a clear revelation in todays R'n'B market. Each song has a story and a depth of ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: If you like R & B you will love this album, Mary J Blige at her very best Disadvantages: If you haven't been a fan of hers before then don't bother as she is at her usual high standard
I have loved Mary J Blige since 'What's the 411' and 'Share My World' and she just get's better and better! So much feeling and soul in her voice you really feel the emotion when you listen to her music. A must have for all soul/hip hop fans as theres a mix of both on this. My favourite track has got to be 'Without You' as i just cannot get it out of my head. A close second would have to be MJB da MVP as it just reminds you of summer and is such ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: evry song gells together from one track to another Disadvantages: you cant get the songs out of your head
...This is absolute brililance!
Forget listening to Breakthrough or the 411
this is shows the true artist and superstar that MaryJBlige is
and with a track like 'Just Fine' Nothing can go wrong.
'Growing Pains' is MaryJ. Blige's eighth studio album and is an album of the queen of RnBs ups and downs throughout her career and really gives us an insight to the truly remarkable diva that she is.
Track by Track Guide
Work That- this shows the hip-hop side to MaryJBlige and is a brililant opening to what is an outstanding album. this gives you a true feeling from the very beginning of this album that you have something very special on your hands.
Grown Woman - another hip-hop record which does not disappoint and features the rap god that is Ludacris. MJB rocks this track as she raps and sings her way through what is a true hip...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Some Really Dope Tracks, Emotion, Variety Disadvantages: Not exactly Breakthrough Lyricism, Repetitive Subject Matter, Filler
...chorus. The basic premise of this song is that DMX and Styles narrate ghetto tales of loyalty, as DMX storytells about one who betrayed him whom he had to get rid of rapidly. The energetic flow of DMX is memorable, but Styles comes off average (as expected), as he proves to be yet again, another overrated lyricist. To be honest, Jadakiss' chorus is the best part of the song... but the subject matter itself makes it above average.
The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul MaryJ. Blige joins DMX on the introspective "Coming From". DMX, as usual, is nowhere near being a breakthrough lyricist, but on this song DMX's pure creativity, inner emotion, and energy is what makes the track good. The subject matter revolves around a nightmarish world which DMX paints where nothing is good, and everything revolves around death and destruction. The nice piano loop...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Album Notes: 'The Breakthough' is the seventh album from one of America's most popular R&B singers Mary J. Blige. Featuring guest production and appearances likes of Rodney Jerkins, Jay-Z, Will.I.Am and female rapper Brooke, the album is a mix of adult R&B and slick hip hop production. The single 'Be Without You' is also included.
Titles on disc 1
1.: No One Will Do
2.: Enough Cryin' - Blige, Mary J. & Brook
3.: About You - Blige, Mary J. & Will.I.Am
4.: Be Without You
5.: Gonna Breakthrough - Blige, Mary J. & Brook
6.: Good Woman Down
7.: Take Me As I Am
8.: Baggage
9.: Can't Hide From Love - Blige, Mary J. & Jay-Z
10.: MJB Da MVP
11.: Can't Get Enough
12.: Ain't Really Love
13.: I Found My Everything - Blige, Mary J. & Raphael Saadiq
14.: Father In You
15.: Alone - Blige, Mary J. & Dave Young
16.: One - Blige, Mary J. & U2
17.: So Lady (bonus track) - Blige, Mary J. & Raphael Saadiq
18.: Show Love (bonus track)
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Listed on Ciao since : 29/12/2005
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