Breakthrough, The - Mary J. Blige

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 ...
...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 ... more

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.
 

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