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Mary J. Blige|The Breakthrough

The Breakthrough

Mary J. Blige

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At the end of 2005, Mary J. Blige's career was supposed to be anthologized. The singer had her way, however, and one of her best studio albums came out instead. In retrospect, her previous album, 2003's Love & Life, was awkward; the P. Diddy collaborations, likely intended to recapture the magic the duo put together on What's the 411? and My Life, didn't always pay off, and Blige was about to become a wife, so the songs steeped in heartbreak and disappointment weren't delivered with as much power as they had been in the past. The Breakthrough also contains some of the drama that fans expect, despite Blige's continued happiness, but it's clear that she has gained enough distance from the uglier parts of her past that she can inhabit them and, once again, deliver those songs. The past does play a significant role in the album, as in "Baggage," where she apologies to her husband for bringing it into their relationship. "Father in You" sounds like a note-perfect facsimile of a classic soul ballad, rising and falling and twisting with a sensitive string arrangement, but the lyrics are pure Blige, acknowledging the ways in which her husband has made up for the absence of her father. On the nearly anthemic "Good Woman Down," she sees a less matured version of herself in young women and uses her experiences to advise. She jacks the beat from the Game's "Hate It or Love It" for "MJB da MVP," where she reflects on her career, thanks her supporters, and reasserts her rightful position as the queen of hip-hop soul. It's one of several tracks to beam with a kind of contentment and confidence that Blige has never before possessed. Take "Can't Hide from Love," where she's such a force that Jay-Z dishes out a quick introduction and knows to stay out of the way for the remainder of the track, or the glorious "I Found My Everything," her "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." Beat for beat, the album features the best round of productions Blige has been handed since the mid-'90s. Apart from only a couple lukewarm tracks and a poorly recorded version of "One" with U2, it is completely correct.

© Andy Kellman /TiVo

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The Breakthrough

Mary J. Blige

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1
No One Will Do (Album Version)
00:04:46

Bunny Sigler, ComposerLyricist - Dave Young, ComposerLyricist - Jaycen Joshua, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Producer - Dave "Hard Drive" Pensado, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mary J. Blige, MainArtist - Jan Fairchild, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Erik Ortiz, ComposerLyricist - Kevin Crowe, ComposerLyricist - Clifford L. Brown III, ComposerLyricist

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

2
Enough Cryin (Album Version)
00:04:20

Shawn Carter, ComposerLyricist - Rodney Jerkins, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Patrick Dillett, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Foley, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - TONY MASERATI, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mary J. Blige, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Sean Garrett, Vocal Producer, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Villanueva, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brook Lynn, FeaturedArtist - Tim Stewart, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Cornelius Mimms, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Craig Brokman, Piano, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

3
About You (Album Version)
00:04:04

William Adams, ComposerLyricist - Anthony Newley, ComposerLyricist - Leslie Bricusse, ComposerLyricist - Keith Harris, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - will.i.am, Producer, Additional Keyboards, Recording Engineer, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Nina Simone, FeaturedArtist - Mary J. Blige, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Ken "Supa Engineer" Duro, Mixer, StudioPersonnel

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

4
Be Without You (Kendu Mix) Explicit
00:04:06

Bryan-Michael Cox, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Johntá Austin, ComposerLyricist - Jason Perry, ComposerLyricist - Dave "Hard Drive" Pensado, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mary J. Blige, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Danny Cheung, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - RON FAIR, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Young Smoke, Producer, Additional Keyboards, Additional Producer, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 2005 UMG Recordings, Inc.

5
Gonna Breakthrough (Album Version)
00:04:00

Harry Palmer, ComposerLyricist - Loren Dawson, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Patrick Dillett, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jaycen Joshua, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tal Herzberg, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave "Hard Drive" Pensado, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mary J. Blige, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Diane Gordon, ComposerLyricist - D. Emile, Producer - Brook, FeaturedArtist - Dernst Emile II, ComposerLyricist - Quaran Wages, ComposerLyricist - Mike Eleopolous, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rexell Hardy Jr., Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Anthony "Devyn" Evans, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

6
Good Woman Down (Album Version)
00:04:07

Patrick Douthit, ComposerLyricist - Patrick Dillett, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jaycen Joshua, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tal Herzberg, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave "Hard Drive" Pensado, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mary J. Blige, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Sean Garrett, ComposerLyricist - 9th Wonder, Producer - RON FAIR, Additional Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Freddie Jackson, ComposerLyricist - Mel'isa Morgan, ComposerLyricist - Robert Aries, ComposerLyricist - Mike Eleopolous, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

7
Take Me As I Am (Album Version)
00:03:57

Thabiso Nkhereanye, ComposerLyricist - Jordan Suecof, ComposerLyricist - Jaycen Joshua, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tal Herzberg, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keri Hilson, Vocal Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Dave "Hard Drive" Pensado, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ezekiel Lewis, ComposerLyricist - Mary J. Blige, Vocal Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lonnie Liston Smith, ComposerLyricist - Infinity, Producer - Candice Nelson, ComposerLyricist - RON FAIR, Producer, String Arranger, Vocal Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Eleopolous, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

8
Baggage (Album Version)
00:03:35

Bobby Ross Avila, Producer, Guitar, Keyboards, Co-Producer, Strings, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - James Q. Wright, ComposerLyricist - Peter Mokran, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Young, ComposerLyricist - Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Producer - TERRY LEWIS, ComposerLyricist - Patrick Dillett, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - JAMES HARRIS, ComposerLyricist - Mary J. Blige, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Iz, Drums, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Marin, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Issiah J Avila, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

9
Can't Hide From Luv (Album Version)
00:03:52

Ryan Toby, ComposerLyricist - Patrick Dillett, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jay-Z, FeaturedArtist - Andre Harris, ComposerLyricist - Vidal Davis, ComposerLyricist - Leon Ware, ComposerLyricist - Mary J. Blige, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - ARTHUR ROSS, ComposerLyricist - Ken "Supa Engineer" Duro, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Vidal Davis and Andre Harris, Producer

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

10
MJB Da MVP (Album Version)
00:03:21

Patrice Rushen, ComposerLyricist - Allan Wayne Felder, ComposerLyricist - Norman Harris, ComposerLyricist - Curtis Jackson, ComposerLyricist - James Johnson, ComposerLyricist - Andre Lyon, ComposerLyricist - Marcello Valenzano, ComposerLyricist - Ron Baker, ComposerLyricist - Jayceon Taylor, ComposerLyricist - Cool & Dre, Producer - Roy Ayers, ComposerLyricist - Karen Evans, ComposerLyricist - Mary J. Blige, Producer, MainArtist

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

11
Can't Get Enough (Album Version)
00:03:40

Bobby Ross Avila, Producer, Guitar, Keyboards, Co-Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - James Wright, Producer, Co-Producer - Peter Mokran, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Producer - TERRY LEWIS, ComposerLyricist - Patrick Dillett, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - JAMES HARRIS, ComposerLyricist - Mary J. Blige, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Iz, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Marin, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Issiah J Avila, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist - Jimmy Jam Harris, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Big Jim Wright Bass, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

12
Ain't Really Love (Album Version)
00:04:39

Bryan-Michael Cox, Producer, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Johntá Austin, ComposerLyricist - Patrick Dillett, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jaycen Joshua, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tal Herzberg, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave "Hard Drive" Pensado, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mary J. Blige, Vocal Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Candice Childress, ComposerLyricist - RON FAIR, String Arranger, Vocal Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Eleopolous, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

13
I Found My Everything (Album Version)
00:05:23

Peter Mokran, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Robert Ozuna, Drums, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Patrick Dillett, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Reggie Dozier, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Raphael Saadiq, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mary J. Blige, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Jake & the Phatman, Producer, Co-Producer - Kelvin L. Wooten, ComposerLyricist - Kevin Wooten, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

14
Father In You (Album Version)
00:05:23

Ryan Toby, ComposerLyricist - Larry Gold, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Frank Romano, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Mokran, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Kenny, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Patrick Dillett, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andre Harris, ComposerLyricist - Vidal Davis, ComposerLyricist - Mary J. Blige, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Vidal Davis and Andre Harris, Producer

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

15
Alone (Album Version)
00:04:28

Davel McKenzie, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Peter Mokran, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Young, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - Patrick Dillett, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mary J. Blige, MainArtist - Danny Cheung, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

16
One (Album Version)
00:04:20

Tal Herzberg, Producer, Co-Producer - Jack Joseph Puig, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Bono, Guitar, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Dean Nelson, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - U2, FeaturedArtist - Adam Clayton, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mary J. Blige, MainArtist - Larry Mullen, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - CARL GLANVILLE, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - RON FAIR, Producer, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - The Edge, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mike Eleopolous, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

17
So Lady (Non-LP Version)
00:04:16

Teedra Moses, ComposerLyricist - Bobby Ozuna, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Patrick Dillett, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Raphael Saadiq, Producer, Bass Guitar, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mary J. Blige, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Jake & the Phatman, Producer, Co-Producer - John Tanksley, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wesley Morrow, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Michael Angelo, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Kelvin L. Wooten, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - James Tanksley, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

18
Show Love (Album Version)
00:03:39

Carl "Chucky" Thompson, Producer - Chucky Thompson, ComposerLyricist - Patrick Dillett, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mary J. Blige, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Sean Garrett, ComposerLyricist - John Phipps, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel

℗ 2005 Geffen Records

Album review

At the end of 2005, Mary J. Blige's career was supposed to be anthologized. The singer had her way, however, and one of her best studio albums came out instead. In retrospect, her previous album, 2003's Love & Life, was awkward; the P. Diddy collaborations, likely intended to recapture the magic the duo put together on What's the 411? and My Life, didn't always pay off, and Blige was about to become a wife, so the songs steeped in heartbreak and disappointment weren't delivered with as much power as they had been in the past. The Breakthrough also contains some of the drama that fans expect, despite Blige's continued happiness, but it's clear that she has gained enough distance from the uglier parts of her past that she can inhabit them and, once again, deliver those songs. The past does play a significant role in the album, as in "Baggage," where she apologies to her husband for bringing it into their relationship. "Father in You" sounds like a note-perfect facsimile of a classic soul ballad, rising and falling and twisting with a sensitive string arrangement, but the lyrics are pure Blige, acknowledging the ways in which her husband has made up for the absence of her father. On the nearly anthemic "Good Woman Down," she sees a less matured version of herself in young women and uses her experiences to advise. She jacks the beat from the Game's "Hate It or Love It" for "MJB da MVP," where she reflects on her career, thanks her supporters, and reasserts her rightful position as the queen of hip-hop soul. It's one of several tracks to beam with a kind of contentment and confidence that Blige has never before possessed. Take "Can't Hide from Love," where she's such a force that Jay-Z dishes out a quick introduction and knows to stay out of the way for the remainder of the track, or the glorious "I Found My Everything," her "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." Beat for beat, the album features the best round of productions Blige has been handed since the mid-'90s. Apart from only a couple lukewarm tracks and a poorly recorded version of "One" with U2, it is completely correct.

© Andy Kellman /TiVo

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