Mary J. Blige - My Life

Artist:

Blige, Mary J.

UPC:

008811115623

Description:

Personnel includes: Mary J. Blige, Keith Murray (vocals); Chucky Thompson, Herb Middleton (various instruments); "Bassy" Bob Brockmann (strings, keyboards, programming); Regina Carter, Diane Monroe, Lesa Terry (violin); Eileen Folson (cello); Gloria Agostini (harp); "Prince" Charles Alexander (flute, piccolo, tenor saxophone); Mark "Led" Ledford, Bruce Purse (trumpet); Lenny Underwood (piano); Victor Bailey (bass); Kevin "K-Dog" Johnson (drums); LaTonya J. Blige, Faith Evans, Big Bub (background vocals); JoJo Hailey, K-Ci Hailey.
Producers include: Chucky Thompson, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Nashiem Myrick, Herb Middleton, Mr. Dalvin.
Engineers include: Nashiem Myrick, Tony Maserati, Rich Travali.
Recorded at Sound On Sound Recording Studio, Axis Studios, Daddy`s House, The Hit Factory and Clinton Recording Studios, New York, New York.
MY LIFE was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.
Personnel: Mary J. Blige (vocals, background vocals); Paul Pesco (guitar); Gloria Agostini (harp); Regina Carter , Diane Monroe, Lesa Terry (violin); Eileen Folson (cello); Charles "Prince Charles" Alexander (flute, piccolo, tenor saxophone); Vincent Henry (alto saxophone); Mark Ledford, Bruce Purse (trumpet); Lenny Underwood (piano); Chucky Thompson, Fred McFarlane, Bob Brockmann, Herb Middleton (keyboards); Frank Colon (percussion); Nasheim Myrick (programming); Latonya J. Blige, Faith Evans, K-Ci & JoJo, Big Bub (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Bob Brockmann; Charles "Prince Charles" Alexander ; Rob Paustian; Tony Maserati.
Recording information: Axis Studios, New York, NY; Clinton Recording Studios, Inc., New York, NY; Daddy`s House Recording Studios, New York, NY; Hit Factory Studios, New York, NY; Sound On Sound Recording, Inc., New York, NY.
Photographer: Sante d`Orazio.
Arrangers: Dalvin DeGrate; K-Ci & JoJo.
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 R&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.

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. Intro
2. Mary Jane (All Night Long)
3. You Bring Me Joy
4. Marvin Interlude
5. I`m the Only Woman
6. K. Murray Interlude
7. My Life - (remix)
8. You Gotta Believe
9. I Never Wanna Live Without You
10. I`m Going Down
11. My Life (Interlude)
12. Be With You
13. Mary`s Joint
14. Don`t Go
15. I Love You
16. No One Else
17. Be Happy

Album Information

Release Date:

12/22/1994

Type:

Performer

Genre:

R&B

Subgenre:

Contemporary R&B

Label:

MCA (USA)

Catalog Number:

11156

Original Release Year:

1994

# of Discs:

1

Studio/Live:

Studio

Mono/Stereo:

Stereo

Runtime:

65 : 26

Guest Artist:

Keith Murray; Jo-Jo Hailey; K-Ci Hailey; Big Bub; Faith Evans; Regina Carter

Portions copyright 2005 Muze Inc. All rights reserved.