First let me start by saying that I am an AVID listener and fan of Mary J. Blige. I have been listening to her since What’s the The 411?. In fact, My husband and l fell in love to What’s the 411?. I raised my kids as a single mother to My Life, I rekindled the romance with my future husband to Share My World and we started our marriage to No More Drama. I could go on but I won’t. Mary J. Blige can do no wrong in my eyes. Now that we’ve got that out the way… Her new album The London Sessions is out and its HOT! Mary J Blige recorded this album in London, collaborating with some of music’s hottest new stars including Sam Smith, Disclosure, and Emeli Sandé. I was so excited to get to see the documentary of The London Sessions at a private screening here in Atlanta where Mary J. herself made an appearance and did Q & A about this new release. Then I got the awesome news that I would get to preview a pre released digital copy of the album!
In true Mary J fashion this album does it for me. It’s the next stage of her story. She was just a girl on Whats the 411 (as was I) She grew up on My Life and was considering Love on Share My World. She realized what she wanted on Mary. She stopped asking for approval on No More Drama… get my drift? Her albums show the natural progression of her life. (And she says this in The London Files: The Documentary) She pours her soul into her songs and this album is no different. The Mary that we get here is one who has lived a little. Has had success and failures. She understands who she is and what she needs so now she can transition by reinventing herself yet again. I don’t know how she is doing it, but she is also singing the soundtrack to my life!!
And they watched me from the time I came out with my first album all the way up ’til now. Cause my life is public, it’s in front of the world… Mary J. Blige – The London Sessions
The first song is “Therapy” where she is talking about her self and the need she has to be heard. Then she talks to herself in the next song “Doubt” and outlines who she is. In this song she is encouraging herself to never give up and to keep striving for greatness. In “Not Loving You” she encourages you to love yourself. She is preaching in “Long Hard Look” (The grass ain’t always greener on the other side!) And she is doing all of this to amazing beats and background vocals.
This album is folksy, rhythmic and thoughtful. Its beautiful and mature. You can hear the European flair in the techno sound of some of the songs like “Nobody But You”. (Which i predict will be a club banger and one of my favorite songs from this album) I also love the piano riffs in “A Whole Damn Year” (another fav). Look… go get the album. It’s nice and for grown folks. Put it on and sip some wine. Reflect. Thank you Mary! You’ve done it again!!
You can get more information about The London Sessions: www.MaryJBlige.com
Check out her Facebook Page:
You can follow her on Twitter: @maryjblige
Get Social and search this hashtag: #TheLondonSessions or #LondonSessions
What’s your favorite Mary J. Album?
TapInfluence
I participated in the Mary J Blige The London Sessions album review program as a member of bLink Marketing Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.
Comments
