Mary

1	All That I Can Say 5:30
2	Sexy 4:47
3	Deep Inside 5:26
4	Beautiful Ones 5:59
5	I'm in Love 4:50
6	Time 5:06
7	Memories 4:38
8	Don't Waste Your Time 4:12
9	Not Lookin' 5:27
10	Your Child 5:36
11	No Happy Holidays 5:16
12	The Love I Never Had 6:48
13	Give Me You 5:03
14	Let No Man Put Asunder 4:23

Barnes & Noble

Few artists have as devoted a following as Mary J. Blige. Since she rocked the R&B and hip-hop worlds with her 1992 debut, WHAT'S THE 411, Blige has delivered soulful, heartbroken tales of love that strike a chord in the hearts of many a young woman. On her fourth album, MARY, Blige aims to broaden her horizons -- and her appeal -- as evidenced by some of this CD's high-profile guests. Elton John reworks his own classic "Bennie and the Jets" for Blige's "Deep Inside," while the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin meets the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul on "Don't Waste Your Time." But the best outside contribution comes from Lauryn Hill, who floats alongside Mary on the beautiful "All That I Can Say." This song sounds like it was discovered from a lost '70s Stevie Wonder session, and it's the kind of record that can help Mary bring together music fans of all ages. Elliott Wilson

All Music Guide

Perhaps it was inevitable that Mary J. Blige would mature, toning down the raunchier elements of her persona that have been evident since her debut, while repositioning herself as a classicist soul singer. Even so, the sheer classiness of Mary, her fourth album, may come as a bit of a surprise. Blige made a conscious effort to create an album that recalled the classic dawning days of quiet storm yet worked as a unified, cohesive album. That meant that the more overt hip-hop elements have been subdued in favor of '70s soul. There's still grit in the music, but it's been glossed over with a polished production, and she now favors sophisticated songs, including material from such writers as Stevie Wonder, Bacharach/David, Lauryn Hill, and Elton John/Bernie Taupin. Some of these writers were collaborators and others contributed songs outright, but the amazing thing about the end result belongs to nobody else but Blige. It's different, to be sure, but still her -- and it's a rewarding, engaging way to mature. Blige's voice is richer and her skills have deepened, and her new songs, while not as streetwise, are worthy of her talents. Consequently, Mary is a thoroughly winning album. Stephen Thomas Erlewine