Mary - Blige, Mary J. (CD 1999)

Mary J Blige as an artist has been quite consistent, if not better with each release. '411' was right for its time, although I find it hard to listen to 'My Life', in fact I find it incredibly dull and repetitive. 'Share My World', Mary's first #1 album and best selling was very listenable yet it lacked the personal element in her songs which Mary had always delivered - it sounded too polished, too slick and definitely moved away from her previous gritty hip hoppy sound into more r&b oriented sound.

To be honest my expectations were low for the Mary album. I bought it because of my curiousity as to the All That I Can Say single. It was a very unusual type of song. On first (and maybe even after 15 listens) I was convinced that 'Mary' was a pile of trash. However, weeks later I was to be proved wrong - 'Mary' was indeed a coherent work of art.

It kicks of with the brilliantly written/produced All That I Can Say (by Lauryn Hill) and moves into serious hip hop mode on 'Sexy' with Jada Kiss giving it some serious street flavour. 'Deep Inside' is also a clever use of the Elton John song 'Bennie and the Jets' (i think thats what its called) with highly personal lyrics. It takes balls for someone that famous to actually admit: 'I don't have a lot of friends/So Sometimes I have to wonder/If its really me or cash they see/Or they are looking for a ride thats free'. The pain is also in her evident plea 'Don't judge me, don't think am bitter, for the evil God allowed me to see'. The thumping piano riff makes this song a classic in its own rights and one of my favourites off the album.

The next two tracks (the Mary produced 'In Love' and Rich Harrison produced 'Beautiful Ones') are a tad bit dull, yet the suit the somehow understated nature of this album. On track 6 featurs another highlight (though not a favourite of mine), a duet with George Michael on Stevie Wonder's 'As', and they two do a wonderful job. But Mary is back on the feel of this album with 'Time' another track that samples Stevie Wonder's back catalogue (this time the song which I think features his best production, 'Pastime Paradise'), where Mary laments on the state of the world.

Next track 'Memories' features strong singing, excellent background vocals and good production but my absolute favourite on this album comes from the Babyface produced duet with the Almighty Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin on 'Don't Waste Your Time' where The Queen advises her heiress to ditch an unfaithful lover. The Queen blows on this song while Mary's complaint-in-singing is also highly effective, in fact the song although not being a single was grammy nominated. The duet with Mary's exboyfriend, KCI, 'Not Looking', is extremely pleasing to the ears where Marys lament that shes tired of his 'egoeistical, maniac a***' seems to be an opportunity to vent any anger she at him while they dated.

Another favourite of mine comes courtesy of the production by Jimmy Jam & Lewis on 'Wake Up', which utilizes real instruments. The chorus has a very jazzy-hop feel to it reminiscent of Jimmy Jams production on Janet Jackson's 'Twentyfore play' (off her greatest hits package).

The only song which I absolutely detest on this collection is 'Give Me You', written by the high-priestess of the 'power ballad' on any pop artist's album ('Unbreak My Heart', 'How Do I Live', 'For You I Will'), Diane Warren. The lyrics are so cringe-worthy and the production so standard that its hard to believe that Mary recorded it. It is not that the song is bad, its just that its far less superior to any of the other tracks.

I always say that for me, a classic album is one which takes its time to grow on me, one which is not easily accessible in sound but with repeated listens increases in musical value - 'Mary is thus a classic'.