The Bottom Line
- Four new songs.
- A duet w/John Legend.
- Some of Mary's best previously-released songs.
- Some of the new songs are very ordinary.
Description
- Some of Mary's greatest hits.
- Plenty of previously unreleased songs.
- A fitting retrospective.
Guide Review - Mary J. Blige - "Reflections: A Retrospective"
The album kicks off with "Reflections (I Remember)," a song on which Mary reminisces about the path her life has taken to this point and how. If you've followed Mary for all or most of her career, then "Reflections (I Remember)," will make you realize exactly how far she's come as an artist and person. Likewise, the ode to her husband "We Ride (I See the Future)," is another shining example of how she's been able to mature yet still remain fresh and relevant.
The other two new tracks, the uptempo "You Know" and the love song duet "King & Queen," which features John Legend, are solid, but don't quite rise to the level of most of the other material on the album. And despite seeming like it would be a dream collaboration, Legend's mellow crooning contrasts a little too much with Mary's powerful vocal style.
Of the previously-released songs rounding out the album, all are good choices, and just a couple (her Method Man collaboration "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need to Get By" and "Real Love" are nods to her early-1990s days as the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul."
It should be noted that one of the few surprises - and a very pleasant one - is the inclusion of broken-heart song "911," a duet featuring, and produced by, Wyclef Jean. It's not only a powerful song, but thanks to Mary, it's also the best ballad Wyclef has ever a part of - and yes, that even includes his days working with Lauryn Hill.
