What's really irritating about all this is Just the same old warmed-over romantic sentiments. Blige co-wrote most of the tunes, but they don't show any individuality, Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis, whose "Love Is All We Need" is Where tracks are produced by Trackmasters, Rodney Jerkins (an unabashed Face imitator) and Soundtrack, and the difference in mood is instructive: where the earlier tune is mournfulĪnd moving, the new one is passionless, softly sung, and trite. Babyface contributes "Missing You" inĪddition to "Not Gon' Cry" repeated from the 1995 Waiting To Exhale Thompson are gone, and hip-hop is out the window, though there are brief cameos from Nas, Ol' Dirty Bastard and Lil' Kim. While "Mary Jane," like LL's "Around the Way Girl," is based on theīlige gets a Toni Braxton makeover, crooning light Babyface-style soul ("I Can Love You," title track). Pleasant "I Love You" is derived from LL's "6 Minutes Of Pleasure,"
It also sounds like Thompson and Combs haveīeen listening closely to LL Cool J's Mama Said Knock You Out: the Time around, and the segues are brief and musical ("Mary's Joint," Fortunately, her vocals are featured more prominently this Rhythms on every track - they don't really do Blige's compositions Same West Coast squiggly synth lines, bass vamps and programmed Schumacher.) Most tracks are produced by Chucky Thompson and PuffyĬombs, and they don't have a lot of ideas, using pretty much the (One exception is the haunting, quietlyĭesperate " I'm Goin' Down," with lyrics by Norman Whitfield and music by Joel (DBW)Īfter not writing anything on her debut, Blige writes or cowritesĪlmost everything here. "Intro Talk") and the title track, a dull rap duet with Grand Puba īusta Rhymes and C.L. The record's also dragged down byĪ couple of pointless segues (the endless opener "Leave A Message," (including "Real Love"), Puffy Combs or Dave Hall, and they'reĬonsistently enjoyable, although the keyboards-and-drum-programming The tunes are produced and written by former Fat Boy Mark Morales and Mark Cooney
"Changes I've Been Going Through." She even does a credible job The slower, more soulful numbers: "Reminisce" (produced by Dave Hall), "Slow Down," Jill Swing with a catchy piano hook but not much opportunity forīlige to show off her considerable vocal prowess. Propelled by the huge hit single "Real Love," which is light New
I finally caught Blige live in 2010 and reviewed the show. With her second album she started to come into her ownĪs a songwriter, produced her 1998 live album, and has put together an impressive string of records that run the gamut of contemporary urban pop forms. Unlike more technically proficient vocalists like Mariah Carey, the feelingīehind Blige's singing is never in doubt. Interpretations aren't always original, and she's not always in tune, you're unlikely to care. Blige has a moving, powerful voice: though her Soul, and honestly I can't think of any competition. Pepa) to muddy the distinctions between those genres. Hop artists and producers, helping (along with TLC and Salt-N. Love & Life - The Breakthrough - Growing Pains - Stronger With Each Tear - My Life II.The Journey Continues (Act 1)īlige emerged in the early 90s as a young R&B singer closely associated with hip Life - Share My World - The Tour - Mary - No More Drama.
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