It
was in 1992 that Mary J. Blige hit us with
her debut album "What's The 411? ". After one listen the answer was immediately
identified within that album - she's the 411 - her music is what's up
- her soulful female r&b vocals combined with hip hop's beats and notions
created her own distinctive sound and thesis. Thus, crowning her the Queen
Of Hip Hop Soul. Ever since we've come to expect great things from MJB
and once again she prevails to deliver with her newest album
"The Breakthrough" …
I was instantly intrigued when I heard Mary's single "Be Without You". Ironically, the heavy beat and soft piano along with Mary's signature gritty yet polished voice somehow harmonically come together. I felt the same enthusiasm after hearing "Good Woman Down", wherein the music is just as powerful as the message. Mary is addressing women who are in abusive relationships by sharing her own experiences, including seeing her father beat her mother. However, she provides uplifting words of wisdom on why you "can't hold a good woman down" in her catchy chorus. I also want to brag about "Ain't Really Love", which provides that classic dramatic sound from the Mary we've all come to know and love. The tempo is slow and the music is well-orchestrated, as Mary coos away about "how can a man be so cold to a woman that loves him most". On the flip-side, "No One Will Do" whole-heartedly displays an in-love and happily situated Mary. I especially like the upbeat change toward the end of the song.
