Blues
MY LIFE was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.
The immediate success of her triple-platinum debut WHAT'S THE 411? put Mary J. Blige in a singular class as a soul-hop visionary, and opened the door for other hip-hop-influenced ... Full DescriptionR&B acts. Yet as the follow-up approached, the nature of her talent began to be questioned, and the strength of her debut became an obstacle.
If Blige heard all those rumors, she must've decided that musical revenge is the best payback of all. Thus, MY LIFE comes across as another ground-breaking venture, linking R&B's new and old schools, filling the airwaves with delightful harmonies AND hip-hop samples. When Blige connects with her music's roots, she doesn't pussy-foot around soul's perimeters searching for eligible influences--so "You Bring Me Joy," "My Life" and "Be Happy" sample such luminaries as Barry White, Roy Ayers and Curtis Mayfield, respectively. The reconstruction of the Mary Jane Girls' "All Night Long" is (Mary Jane) Blige's shout-out to the funky '80s, while "Don't Go" is a feminist retort to Guy's "Goodbye."
Even though much of the album's musical direction is steered by producers Sean "Puffy" Combs and Chucky Thompson, Blige is the dominant songwriter here. And that's the main reason MY LIFE turns out to be such a statement of purpose--a 17-song diary full of Blige's life, love, and struggles in defending her title as the queen of hip-hop soul.
From CD Universe.
**
Mary J. Blige- Vocals
Keith Murray- Vocals
Diane Monroe, Lesa Terry- Violin
Victor Bailey- Bass
Gloria Agostini- Harp
Chucky Thompson, Herb Middleton- Various Instruments
Kevin "K-Dog" Johnson- Drums
"Bassy" Bob Brockman- Strings, Keyboards,
Lenny Underwood- Piano
Eileen Folson- Cello
Mark "Led" Ledford, Bruce Purse- Trumpet
LaTonya J. Blige, Faith Evans, Big Bub- Background Vocals
Regina Carter, Diane Monroe, Lesa Terry- Violin
"Prince" Charles Alexander- Flute, Piccolo, Tenor Saxophone
**
01. Whats A Matter (3:46)
02. Should've Been Mine (5:07)
03. Whiskey Lies and Alibis (4:17)
04. One More Lie (4:07)
05. Watch Out Girl (3:27)
06. I Just Wanna Make Love (4:32)
07. Guess Who (4:53)
08. Please Don't Dog Me (7:19)
09. Got To Use My Imagination (4:36)
10. Dog Chasin' The Frreight Train (2:26)
**
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