Mary J Blige - No More Drama - deserves to be hollered about. (No More Drama - Mary J. Blige)

Member Name: Zelie

Product:	No More Drama - Mary J. Blige
Date:	10/05/02 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Strong vocals, Excellent rhythm

Disadvantages: None

Angry, soulful, despising, romantic, determined, fragile, aggressive, female, all on one CD and sung in a voice that reaches into the recesses of your mind - Mary's back with big time attitude. The Queen of Hip Hop Soul, Mary J Blige has created in the "No More Drama" album a collection of strong tracks which can easily hold their own individually and which cover the emotions from A to Z. This is her 5th album and presently has racked up 13 million sales worldwide. Could all those fans be wrong? I don't think so.

I am a relatively recent covert to Mary and this 2001 produced album has quickly become one which rarely makes its way back into my CD rack. You don't have to dig too deep to discover Mary's turbulent past but in this album she declares over and over again that she is no longer the victim and you get the feeling she means it.

From the opening pulsing beats of the track "Love" you get the message which is repeated often throughout - "But I'm focused now People saying, "Wow!" In place of a frown on my face, a smile". This delivered in a strong, in your face rap lets you know Mary means business.

The second Dr Dre produced track is the popular "Family Affair" which to me is reminiscent of Destiny's Child's "Bootilicious" in that I defy you to listen to it and remain still. The words "No more drama" make their first appearance here and the strong rhythm coupled with Mary's truly original lyrics make this one of the best tracks on the CD.

The next track "Steal Away" is produced by the Neptunes and features Pharrell Williams of the group in introductory vocals with the backing rap by Marshane L Winfield. I know this track has come in for some criticism but I love it and think the opening vocals blend easily into where Mary takes over and then once again into the slick rap.

"Crazy Games"
; isn't one of the stronger tracks and I think acts merely as a bridge into the track "PMS". OK I'm a woman and I have listened to this track over and over again in an attempt to get to like it. I'm sorry it's my least favourite. I know it's original etc etc but I just can find nothing about it to like.

"No More Drama" the title track is a raw, strong song which is excellently delivered by Mary and strongly backed with background vocals sung by her as well. The piano theme tune of the "Young and the Restless" an American soap runs throughout the song.

"Keep it Moving" "Destiny" and "Where I've Been" and the jazzy "Beautiful Day" follow in quick succession and in them Mary displays her vocal and musical range to excellent effect. These to me are bridging and not among the stronger songs on the CD but they are still easy on the ear and never boring.

"Dance for me" will have you bopping along once again to the strong hip-hop beat and "Flying Away" is almost Whitney-esque and unlike most of the other tracks with its light but funky beat.

"Never Been" produced by Missy Elliott, is sexy, soulful and stupendously wonderful when listened to at loud volume through your headphones. "U2" continues this run of strong songs and is amazing once again in how expertly the background vocals blend with the main refrain to give a repetitive but pleasing chorus.

"In the Meantime" is easy late night listening and is followed by "Forever No More" a poem written and spoken with no apology by Mary ending with the clear message "And Thank you God - for Giving Me back Me". This is followed by "Testimoney" a slow moving song reflecting where Mary seems to be in her life. And just in case you thought this new found calm meant that Mary had lost her feistiness "Ch
eckin for Me" leaves you in no doubt that this is not the case at all.

This CD has 18 tracks and it is only to be expected that there should be a few fillers along the way. These are however in the minimum and what you are getting is excellent listening value for money from an album which grows more and more on you with each listening. Mary J Blige has been crowned the Queen of Hip Hop Soul. This CD confirms that this is a well-deserved title.

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