Mary J. Blige - Love & Life (Audio CD - Aug 26, 2003)

For an in-demand R&B star with only the best producer connections, Mary J. Blige has always resisted crass commercial moves, preferring to sing straight from the heart, with an unparalleled blues- and gospel-rooted delivery. So it's not surprising that the raspy vocalist packs her latest disc with tunes that feel lived-in and real. But in contrast to 1994's confessional My Life and 2002's cathartic No More Drama, Love & Life's deft mix of hip-hop and R&B recaptures the more carefree mood of Blige's classic debut, What's the 411? The difference has everything to do with a thriving romantic relationship and a professional reunion with P. Diddy -- the producer who launched Blige's career more than a decade ago and returns to the booth for this disc. The good-time vibe is palpable on the energetic single "Love @ 1st Sight," which grabs its thumping beat from A Tribe Called Quest's "Hot Sex on a Platter" and reteams Blige with Wu-Tang charmer Method Man. Expanding upon the themes outlined in the album's title, Blige enlists hip-hop all-stars including 50 Cent (on the bombastic "Let Me Be the 1") and rap vixen Eve (for the girl-power anthem "Not Today"). Although her moods don't seem as ever-changing, Love & Life's blend of up-to-the-minute R&B, dance grooves, and melodic ballads proves the queen of hip-hop soul's reign is far from over.

Condition:NEW. Never played Punched upc

TRACK LISTINGS

1. Love & Life Intro - Puff Daddy
2. Don't Go
3. When We
4. Not Today - Eve
5. Finally Made It (Interlude)
6. Ooh!
7. Let Me Be the 1 - 50 Cent
8. Love @ 1st Sight - Method Man
9. Willing & Waiting
10. Free (Interlude)
11. Friends
12. Press On
13. Feel Like Makin Love
14. It's a Wrap
15. Message in Our Music (Interlude)
16. All My Love
17. Special Part of Me
18. Ultimate Relationship (A.M.)