| | Mary J Blige Reflections (A Retrospective) CD Mary J Blige Discography of CDs
 (7 Customer Reviews)
Mary J. Blige began her reign as the queen of hip-hop soul in 1992 with her debut, WHAT'S THE 411?, and continued it over the course of seven studio albums, along the way throwing in remixes, live recordings, and virtually non-stop appearances as a guest artist on the albums of contemporaries. THE BREAKTHOUGH (2005) was one of Blige's most accomplished and acclaimed albums, and she continued to maintain her high profile on awards shows, in videos, and on the charts. The time was ripe for a greatest-hits package, and 2006's REFLECTIONS: THE JOURNEY fits that bill.
Blige placed 16 Top Ten singles on the R&B charts, and the best-known of those--"Be Without You," "Real Love," "Be Happy"--are present on REFLECTIONS. Rather than packing all the singer's hits onto one disc, however, REFLECTIONS also includes new material (in an effort, one can assume, to appeal to long-time fans who already own her studio output). In this way the set may come as a disappointment to those awaiting a pure blast of the best from this diva, but REFLECTIONS balances the old and new beautifully. As always Blige's top-tier productions; emotive, confessional lyrics; and stirring, agile vocals astonish, making REFLECTIONS a must for the devoted and the uninitiated.
Personnel: Mary J. Blige (background vocals); Chucky Thompson, Bryan-Michael Cox, E. Hudson, Jimmy Jam, Babyface, Terry Lewis (various instruments); Raymond Hinton, Paul Pescoe, Mike Scott , Ron Fair, Sharief Hobley (guitar); Gloria Agostini (harp); Regina Carter, Diane Monroe, Lesa Terry (violin); Eileen Fiolsom (cello); 'Prince' Charles Alexander (flute); Vincent Henry (alto saxophone); Mark Ledford, Bruce Purse (trumpet); Daniel Hall, Keyon Harold, Adam Burton, Jarell Banks, Eric Hall (horns); Lenny Underwood (piano); Jim Wright (organ); Young Smoke, Fred McFarlane, Loren Dawson, Mark C. Rooney, Camara Kambon (keyboards); Eric Hudson, Robert 'JJ' Smith, Mike Elizondo, B. Cox, Victor Bailey (bass guitar); Kevin 'K-Dog' Johnson, Rexell Hardy (drums); Mark Morales (drum machine); Frank Colon (percussion); Alex Richburg, Avenue (Rhino) (drum programming); Tabitha Brace, Jessyca Wilson, LaTonia Hughes, Jewelynn Green, Latonya J. Blige, David Hughes , David Hurst, Terri Robinson, James "Big Jim" Wright (background vocals).
Additional personnel: Wyclef Jean (vocals); Method Man (rap vocals); John Legend (background vocals).
Reflections (A Retrospective) Music Mary J Blige Reflections (A Retrospective) Songs Reflections (A Retrospective) Music Review Buy Reflections (A Retrospective) CD Purchase Reflections (A Retrospective) CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart | Alexis Korner Kornerstoned: Anthology 1958-1983 CD (2006) (Import) United Kingdom
Reflections (A Retrospective)
 $24.79
| | Mary J Blige Breakthrough CD (2005)
Reflections (A Retrospective)
$10.49 
| | Fergie The Dutchess CD (2006)
Reflections (A Retrospective)
$10.49  
| | Ice-T Gangsta Rap CD (2006)
Reflections (A Retrospective)
$14.45 
| | Beatles Love CD (2006) Wdva; Special Edition; Digipak
Reflections (A Retrospective)
$20.89
Martin's relationship to the band gives him a unique perspective (not to mention access to a vast catalogue ...
| | Lloyd Street Love CD (2007)
Reflections (A Retrospective)
$11.49
| | Brad Jones Uncivilized Poise CDs (1999)
Reflections (A Retrospective)
$16.45
Bassist Jones presents his contemporary funk/pop/rap band Aka Alias, using jazz undercurrents. Helpmates include electric guitarist David Gilmore, keyboardist Jeff Lawrence, alto saxophonist and flutist Bob Debellis, drummer Abe Fogel, trombonist Curtis Fowlkes on one cut, D.K. Dyson singing on two, Beans rapping on another two. The best instrumental work here is "Drag Queen Races" (can't resist the title either, ) replete with the band collectively vocalizing a five second Top Fuel run, and incredible flute and guitar unison lines written and played to strict tolerances and stunning effect. A 5/4 rhythm with Fender Rhodes makes for a clever combination buoying this inventive music. There are three "Pocket Prayers, " #1 being an overdubbed bowed and plucked bass, the latter quite kora-like, #2 a faded in alto sax and bop oriented piano line, the most jazz you'll find, while #3 is a rap from Jones. Beans raps on the hard, hip funk of "Black Bread," and hip hop "Po' Man's Ecstacy," intro'd by buzzing bass. This is one of a couple of tracks where you can hear it's live at the Knitting Factory, and a pretty chatty crowd it is. Dyson's features are in the progressive soul bag, and her lovely voice comes through clearly on "Hope Road" and "The Intrepid Storm." By contrast "Three Guesses" is the most avant, with ostinato bass asking a million questions, Lawrence's piano with more pointed inquisition, and Gilmore's urban landscape guitar intensifying the funky backdrop. Whether this is actually good or completely derivative music will be up to the individual listener. It would seem that these sounds are rooted in more simplistic styles, while Aka Alias is trying to juice it up with some rather vague complexities that in many instances, is questionable whether they really work or not. ~ Michael G. Nastos
New ...
| | Jodeci Diary Of A Mad Band CD (1993)
Reflections (A Retrospective)
$6.49
Jodeci juggles new jack swing and vintage soul on their second album...The disc's love songs, particularly "Cry for You," "What About Us," and "My Heart Belongs to You," ...
| | Malthus Knowledge Of Your Own (9 Titres) CD (2009) (Import)
Reflections (A Retrospective)
$20.99
| | Latino Velvet Menudo Mix CD (2004) Bonus Tracks; Remix
Reflections (A Retrospective)
$7.05
| | 70'S Funk Sensations CD (2005) (Import) Australia
Reflections (A Retrospective)
$11.29
| | William Sheller Parade Au Cirque Royal CD (2006)
Reflections (A Retrospective)
$16.29
| | Surface Seven Times Over Fold CD (1999)
Reflections (A Retrospective)
$10.05
| | Brian Weaver House Sessions CD (2006)
Reflections (A Retrospective)
$7.99
| | Kagrra Shizuku CD (2007) (Import)
$49.95 |
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