Mary J. Blige

A welcome progression in Blige's career, Mary sees the singer turning toward more sophisticated material with subdued backing. "All That I Can Say" is sublime, "Memories" hints at her sassy past, and her voice is in fine form throughout. She even duets with Aretha Franklin! This is an album that requires you sip chardonnay while listening.

Rather than hating playas, she's bored with them. Between Aretha and Lauryn and the sister who knocked on the door and just by being sincere convinced Mary she'd had Mary's man's baby, all that she can say is that she's ready to love someone serious and walk away from anyone who isn't. Unless you count Bennie and the Jets, her pop allies don't do all that much for her song sense, which is why her live album is still where to begin. But two more like this and she'll be ready for another. A girl who can come out of a Diane Warren song with no symptoms of soul death has performed a miracle that defied Al Green. (Grade - A-)