Mary J Blige, Reflections- A Retrospective

20 November 2006

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“Brilliant autobiographical soul music…the most important soul singer of our time… the 21st century Aretha Franklin” The Independent

“Mary J Blige is America’s Queen Of Soul, her life story is as jaw-dropping as her voice.”Mail On SundayUndisputed Queen of contemporary soul music and three time Grammy winner Mary J Blige is set to release a greatest hits collection Reflections A Retrospective on December 4th. MJB DA MVP, Mary’s stunning mini-autobiographical reflection on her glorious career to date, utilising the music track from The Game’s classic “Love It Or Hate It“, will be released as a single on December 18th. “Reflections – A Retrospective” is Mary’s first release since her hugely successful 2005 album “The Breakthrough”, which entered the US charts at no. 1 and has sold over 3 million copies. The success of “The Breakthrough”, which featured the UK number 2 single “One”, Mary’s remarkable duet with U2, confirmed Blige as one of the music world’s biggest selling and best loved artists. The U2 duet followed previous Mary collaborations with some of the biggest names in world music, from Sir Elton John and George Michael, to Dr. Dre, Aretha Franklin and Eric Clapton. Nine albums and fourteen years since ‘What’s The 411’ heralded the arrival of a voice to stand alongside the greats of soul music, the new collection once again bears witness to the trademark combination of raw power, serenity, conviction and compassion that has marked Mary out as a singular talent in today’s music world. The album takes the listener on a journey from her childhood in the projects of Yonkers, New York, to her early successes plagued with drama, to her current position as an artist at the very top of her game.

Nobody tells it like Mary. Over the course of 14 years, with a voice that is rough and ready, sweet and pure, Mary J. Blige is capable of conveying heartache and happiness in a single musical phrase. A confessional singer, her emotional honesty reflects the great traditions of blues and soul with an immediacy that has won her countless honours and awards and a devoted, ever-growing audience around the world. Mary is well known for her innovative studio productions with a veritable who’s-who of musical talents from Sting and Eric Clapton to Aretha Franklin to Method Man, Nas and Jay-Z.

Beyond giving to the world through song, Mary is committed to helping through deed. In addition to filming anti-drug PSAs, Mary has worked with various education groups and received Rock the Vote’s highest honor, the “Patrick Lippert Award.” She is a tireless fund-raiser for people with AIDS. Whether pouring her heart out in a recording booth, on a concert stage, or privately learning how to love herself and help others, Mary has discovered something powerful: The music that she makes, the songs that have brought so much joy and solace to so many, have also been her own salvation. When you think of perseverance, strength and commitment, you think of Mary J Blige.

Mary’s prior multi-platinum hit albums include such classics
“No More Drama”
“What’s the 411”
“My Life”
“Share My World”
“Mary”
“Love & Life”
“The Breakthrough”
Mary J Blige

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