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Mary J. Blige - "MJB The Breakthrough"
by William Ashanti Hobbs
author and co-owner of Meroen Press
December 2005
This Music Review is sponsored by:
1102 S. Adams St., ste.#5 - Tallahassee, FL 32301
850.222.6940 - www.flavamusic.net
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This Music Review is
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Mary J's pictures on the
first few albums were guarded: half tough, half
tender. On MJB: The Breakthrough , her face is up
front, not half hidden in profile, no eyes hidden
in the shadows of hats, being closed, or looking
off in a direction the audience cannot place themselves
in. Mary J has gradually opened like a flower to
what can be seen as a breakthrough. She and the
music behind her are answer a question most of the
female soul artists behind her will catch hell trying
to deal with: How can an artist who draws from drama
and being miserable come with it when she is obviously
happy in her life?
No Will Do is a good enough intro into this new
bliss. Though most of your lady's bitter girlfriends
won't be suspicious enough of it to object to
hearing it out completely. Enough Cryin' (as with
Ain't Really Love) will quickly restore credibility.
Mary jumps out up front about weaving a fairytale
of marrying a guy just because the sex was good
and the inevitable anguish it brought her. Sweet
details of being left alone and not ever hearing
his keys jingling at the door will put many an
image into your mind. About You veers into the
struggles of mood swings and being overwhelmed
with life itself and how your significant other
can mistake that as a change of heart toward them:
very slick MJB, encouraging yet still packed with
drama.
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Be Without You is Mary shining
with a vengeance. Uplifting or not, it's hard not to make
a fool out of yourself by trying to hit the notes at the
end while stuck in traffic. It makes you wonder if she
can kill mumbles of her being unable to take it there
live with this one. Good Woman Down is a direct gift to
the females who would struggle with the happiness Mary
exudes. As if understanding their plight, Mary sings sympathetic
ear to their dilemmas, drawing direct parallels to her
own (past) struggles. Many may not recognize the underlying
message: 'Yes, girl, I remember what it's like, now listen
to what I've found out so we don't have to wallow in this
Lifetime Channel s**t anymore. 'Take Me as I am backs
up her entreaty: 'Look I've grown up, if you can't except
where I am in my life then go get with Keyshia Coles or
something.
MJB gives a nod to Erykah Badu's 'Bag Lady' with the
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis assisted-Baggage. The realization
that the current love is not responsible for whatever
happened to you in the past can save many a heart and
home. Bangers like MJB the MVP are true head nodders
that will have you reminiscing over Mary in the cat
suit or blond ponytail get up. The samples are judicious
and don't cheapen the production with borrowing from
songs that are too recent. Mary channels an inner Aretha
with I've Found Everything thanks to Raphael Saddiq's
old school soul direction at the boards. She bravely
addresses the issues you'll most likely have from song
to song. The doors of wisdom are never shut, according
to Benjamin Franklin. Mary's gone on and walked ahead
of us. It's up to us to hit replay and catch up.
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