The title of well-known singer Mary J. Blige’s new album, My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1), is not a hint, but a direct reference to the link with her record released in 1994, My Life. In case somebody does not know or remember, let them be notified that it was that very release that introduced to the whole wide world the Mary J. Blige we admire today. Hardly is it possible that the singer has decided to record another album like that. Even less are the chances that she is going to make her new album outdo the achievements of the old. This, by the way, was stated by her in the intro, a personal message to My Life producer. She puts it clear that even today, with so many top records, Mary is intended to go further. Just like almost twenty years ago, she is full of creative energy and ready to slave in the fields of music. There is another thing that unites the two similarly titled albums, and this is the execution. Mary got back to the basis as she stripped the music to the sound that formed her original sound. My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) – is heartbreakingly melodic and emotional hip hop fused with soul. Today we say that this is like RnB, but there was a time when music like that bred the contemporary RnB genre.
It is so easy and pleasant to discover on My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) the young Mary J. Blige. Midnight Drive is a track with arrangements reduced to minimum, which draws the listener’s whole attention to her vocals, just like for the first time again. As always, Mary sounds so convincing. She sings with so much pain and despair that it seems she is going to burst into tears soon. The fragility and strength of her voice help her repeatedly where the lyrics appear quite trite, like in Feel Inside, and 25 - 8. But before you get the words, the voice will get you. Ballads Why, and Empty Prayers mesmerize, disarm and take you prisoner after the first attack; and you will happily yield to Mary J. Blige’s captivity. Just as it should be expected, My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) stores a number of tracks the singer performer with guest stars. She sang Love A Woman with Beyonce, and Mr. Wrong features Drake who perfectly fits the character of a heartless lover.
Quite a lengthy album, My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) lasts almost an hour, but it could be shorter. Not all new songs by Mary J. Blige are equally nice, and cutting off a couple of them would not hard the whole record. The one that causes most doubts is a Chaka Khan cover, Aint Nobody. This dance piece with really heavy beats does not fit the singer’s style completely, and does not sound more interesting than the original. In fact, although the albums features some dance floor hot material here, with Next Level being an apparent highlight, Blige is particularly attractive when doing ballads. This could be the reason why two slow songs, The Living Proof, and Need Someone, close the set of My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) with so great an impact. Well, the new record is not going to explode the scene the way My Life once did. Nevertheless, we may rest assured that Mary J. Bilge is in perfect shape and ready to compete with a lot of young and ambitious performers.
Stronger With Each Tear
Growing Pains
Reflections: A Retrospective
The Breakthrough
Infinity On High 2007
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