Mary J Blige: The London Sessions {Review}

Wondering about the Mary J. Blige: The London Sessions album? #TheLondonSessions and #O2O I have listened to it again and again. Find out what this Mary J. Blige fan of over 20 years thinks.

Disclosure: I participated in the Mary J. Blige The London Sessions album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.

In an effort to shake things up and step out of her musical comfort zone, Mary J. Blige spent a month in London writing and collaborating with some of the most exciting and popular artists in the UK – including Sam Smith, Disclosure, and Emeli Sandé. The result is her highly anticipated album The London Sessions – which was released on December 2, 2014.

An inspirational and powerful performer, Mary J. Blige knows the ups and downs of life. If you’ve ever seen her perform, you know the passion she brings to her everything she does. The London Sessions is full of meaningful moments and uplifting messages. Get ready for some “Therapy” in the form of a new Mary J. Blige album!

Mary Goes International

Mary ventured into new musical territory by crossing the Atlantic to collaborate with some of this decade’s most celebrated UK musical talent – including Disclosure, Eg White, Emile Sandé, Jimmy Napes, Naughty Boy, SAM ROMANS and Sam Smith.

After hearing a remix of Sam Smith’s hit “Stay With Me” featuring Mary J. Blige, I began to wonder if it was a one time fluke or if there would be another MJB-English connection. Soon after, I heard a music news story about Mary recording her upcoming album in England and how she felt the English experience was vastly different from her other recording sessions. Then, a few weeks ago, an opportunity made its way into my email inbox offering me the chance to review MJB’s newest album, recorded in London.

I’m really feeling this new (to me) wave of English and English-inspired music – Naughty Boy (featuring Sam Smith), Disclosure (featuring Sam Smith), and Sam Smith. Oh wait! Maybe I’m just obsessed with Sam Smith. Either way, why wouldn’t I listen to my favorite artist of all time and you guessed it… Sam Smith.

How the Album Began

“In February 2014, amid the production for the soundtrack album, Blige recorded vocals for a remix version of “F for You”, a song by British electronic garage-house duo Disclosure.[4] The remix, while retaining most of the original track from their album Settle, was re-recorded for release as a single and became a top ten hit on the UK Dance Chart. Inspired by its response, Blige initially hoped to record an EP with the duo,[5] in July 2014, it was announced Blige would move to London to experiment with a new sound.[6] Blige spent a month in London recording her album in RAK studios with a host of young British acts, including Disclosure, Naughty Boy, Emeli Sandé and Sam Smith.” (Wikipedia)

There is also talk of a film crew recording a documentary of Blige’s creative process in London with a new documentary. I. Can’t. Wait.

Mary J. Blige: The London Sessions Track Listing
1. Therapy
2. Doubt
3. Not Loving You
4. When You’re Gone
5. Right Now
6. My Loving
7.Long Hard Look
8. Whole Damn Year
9 .Nobody But You
10. Pick Me Up
11. Follow
12. Worth My Time

My favorite Mary J. Blige albums include Growing Pains (2007) and Breakthrough (2005). These albums featured my classic Mary J. Blige songs like Breakthrough, Be Without You, ad Stay Down.

On the London Sessions album, my favorite tracks are are Pick Me Up, a dance infused celebration that is sure to lift ANYONE’s spirits, and Doubt, a piano-heavy mid-tempo inspirational song for the underdog. The remaining tracks include a mix of classic MJB material along with several surprises.

Where Can You Find Out More About Mary J. Blige: The London Sessions?