Album Review: Mary J Blige - The London Sessions (Capitol)

Just as Dusty Springfield went to Memphis to record her classic album, American R&B superstar Mary J Blige came to London to record her latest album.

Some bright spark has had the brilliant idea of teaming her up with the best of British new song writing talent (Disclosure, Sam Smith, Eg White, Emeli Sande, and Naughty Boy) and it works brilliantly, so much so that this could be her best album yet.

The album opens up with Therapy; you could only get an American singing about getting therapy. The track is co-written by her with Sam Smith and Ed White who has written for Adele. Another track the White has co-written is When You're Gone, it is a typical Adele track, a lone acoustic guitar provides the sound bed for Mary J's emotive vocal.

My Loving seems the tempo taken up apace, the track brings to mind Ne-Yo at his best, the song has a memorable hook with a deceptive disco beat. Naughty Boy has a co-write on Long Hard Look which sticks true to her R&B roots.

Whole Damn Year is an Emeli Sande co-wrote track that is a chilling, stark track that has a heartfelt vocal. Pick Me Up is a superb house track produced by Naughty Boy whilst Disclosure take Mary J out of her comfort zone with Follow. The song is a typical Disclosure track with a strong hook.

She didn't have to record this album but I am glad that she did. A huge achievement for all involved.

5 out of 5