Mary J. Blige - My Life Album

The My Life album confirms Mary J. Blige's status as the number one soul diva of the hip hop generation. If there's another album from a female vocalist that's this honest and searing, it must be from Aretha Franklin. This is no holds barred, soul-searching Blige who conveys emotion and urgency with each tune. The album brilliantly goes back and forth between old-school 70's soul and modern hip hop. Excellent tracks include "Mary Jane," "You Give Me Joy," and her formidable cover, "I'm Goin' Down." Top kudos go to "I Love You," an often overlooked breakup song that incorporates a straight ahead jam fest. My Life sounds remarkably fresh and vital after all these years and is R&B at its best.