The London Sessions
| Mary J. Blige
The London Sessions
London Sessions is the twelfth studio album by American R&B singer Mary J. Blige. It was released on November 24, 2014, by Capitol Records and Matriarch Records. On October 26, 2014, the album leaked in its entirety to the internet, with Billboardcalling it "superb" and "objectively her best since 2005's The Breakthrough".-Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Pitchfork
Blige can wring emotion out of her voice like very few people on Earth.
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Telegraph UK
She is the kind of singer who always sounds like she is right there telling you her deepest truth, and it is thrilling to hear her voice in this setting, given the space to resonate.
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Time
The London Sessions is proof positive that she’s still a creative force with great instincts.
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The Gaurdian
It neatly refreshes her sound.
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Variety
The greatest soul singer since Anita Baker, if not Aretha Franklin.
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Pop Culture Daily
I could go on and on with a million different reasons why I love this album, but it all comes down to one thing…the music.
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Chicago Tribune
Blige is still revealing new facets of an artistic persona that has endured because of its honesty and transparency
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Spin
Enough to place the Queen back on track to relevance.
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NY Daily News
They take her classic instrument and clarify it.
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NME
Even still, Blige’s enthusiasm is most powerful on ‘Follow’.
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Soul Tracks
lazing enough to strike a flame for Blige to burn her way back to the top of the charts. Recommended.
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NY Times
Only a dance-music record in part. The rest of it slows down around the intersection of self-help and romantic struggle.
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PPCorn
The queen conquering every track with a poise and hunger that is mostly seen in new artists.
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Music connection
One of Blige’s most relevant sets in years.
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Life of Creed
The album is meaningful and has an uplifting message.
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Blk Creatives
Same musical vein that Aretha recorded Aretha In Paris in 1968, Mary J. Blige takes us on a musical journey, fueled by a clarity.
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MTV
If truth-telling is the metric for relevancy, then Mary should always be in vogue.
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Pop Matters
Too often does this Mary J. Blige record not actually feel like a Mary J. Blige record
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EST 1997
The London Sessions gives the impression of a sort of divisive record: some may consider it a fresher approach for the now veteran Blige .
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Newsday
Opens with four ballads, including the stunning, esteem-building "Doubt," without losing momentum
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The Boombox
Blige is lyrically reaffirming that life is still full of struggles, but there's beauty in the lessons learned.
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Jezebel
Mary just sounds like a fresher, same old Mary. A divine out-of-body-experience.
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Renowned for Sound
Blige is still able to pull each sound off.
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Press Play OK
Stand back, marvel, and repeat as she puts a generation of upstarts in their place.
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RC Goodman
The result is one of Mary J. Blige’s finest and most refreshing albums.
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Bronze Magazine
The album has been getting many positive and favorable reviews, some of the best of her career as a matter of fact.
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Exclaim
Swanky premise, and finds Blige in an artistically intrepid mode. It's also one of her best efforts in recent years.
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Robert Christgau
Blige's Brit pick-me-up has the general effect of taking a load off.
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Irish Times
The result is an album of bold, expressive and occasionally downright exciting tracks.
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The Aristocracy of HR
A beautiful journey.
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The Music
Proof that switching things up can be the best thing for an artist.
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Hit the Floor
All of these elements: the voice, the lyrics, the production, the emotion, the soul, easily makes it one of the best albums released in 2014.
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Artistic Manifesto
Evidence that Blige’s sound is dynamic, and that she isn’t afraid to try something different, stepping completely out of her comfort zone.
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Brent Music Reviews
Fine addition to MJB’s rich catalogue.
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Wall Street Journal
Ms. Blige’s powerful aura as she sang with youngsters who consider her an idol.
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Atypical Familia
If you’re a Mary fan like I am, you are not going to want to miss this…
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The Bulletin
Blige takes on true vulnerability. That daring difference is something Blige should carry home like luggage.
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Rated RnB
She’s musically reborn.
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The Scotsman
Blige has chosen to jump on the London bandwagon.
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Candid Belle
From one NY girl to another, I have to say “well done, Mary.”
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Jen Oni
Album speaks to me and I am feeling every track.
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La La Land Mommy
Blige does not disappoint.
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Just a Little Creativity
There’s truly something for everyone who loves the sound of soul.
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WPGU
Her charisma and emotions bleed through the entirety of the album, and has still secured her in the spot as queen of R&B. Final Verdict: Thumbs Up
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Butter and beats
The album definitely shines at the end with the highlight as the last song, “Worth My Time”.
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Boston Globe
Blige has maintained her fierce authority throughout. And she’s certainly earned the right to set herself free
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Aus Pop
This is the best and most relevant she has sounded in years.
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Mommy2K
It was refreshing to experience a new sound and go in a different direction with such a seasoned vocalist.
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Rap Reviews
Mary's most mature work to date, with not a guest-rapper in sight.
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Whiskey and Sunshine
Full of meaningful moments and uplifting messages. Get ready for some “Therapy” in the form of a new Mary J Blige album!
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Hot New Hip Hop
Wow, Mary J. Blige is really going for the "no half measures" approach to her new album
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Times of India
And from an artiste of this caliber, you can expect nothing short of music that is simply delightful.
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Moms N Charge
The London Sessions is solid. It’s diverse. There’s something for everybody.
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Love Jaime
The album is strong and many of the songs have a beat I can run to or zone out to when working out.
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Life of a Ginger
I am in love with this new sound! It’s so fresh, captivating, and emotion-filled.
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Idolator
Smooth blend of R&B, soul, dance and ’90s-inspired UK house — which is fitting since the singer gathered some awesome artists for the project
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Spectrum Culture
Clean, smooth, modern sound of London pop.
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Jenn's blah Blah Blog
It’s awesome!
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Nylon
The queen of r&b has officially returned.
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The Mommy Nest
An inspirational and powerful performer, Mary J Blige knows the ups and downs of life.
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Girlfriends With Goals
If you love Mary, you are going to love this album, and if you haven’t listened to her music in a while, I think you will be pleasantly surprised by what you hear.
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Living in Mommywood
Powerful. That is the word I choose to describe her latest work. I felt like I was part of a journey through the discovery of expressing your voice.
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Kiwi the Beauty
The European flair suits her well! I’m inspired by her, because sometimes you just might have to leave your comfort zone, and even leave the country to get the new creative inspiration.
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Raphael Saadiq
An accomplished record, spontaneous and thoughtful, and that brings the touch of freshness that was missing from the discography of this great lady.
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Sanaa Brooks
You should go out and get this album. Mary went to London knowing what she wanted to do and she got it done!
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Penny minding Mom
Some of the UK’s most talented artists to produce a one of a kind album that is sure to be a hit with new and long-time fans.
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Black Grooves
The London Sessions is an exciting venture for the Queen of Hip Hop Soul and an album that leaves us wanting more of this new sound .
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Soul and Jazz and Funk
Yes, something old; plenty that's new and some irritating oddities.
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Tickles and Tots
Her vocals are soulful and are always delivered with her signature voice and sound that we all know and love.
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LA Times
The result is a shimmering dance-pop record from start to finish — with a few choice ballads to catch your breath.
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Outside the Box Mom
Mary ventured into new musical territory by crossing the Atlantic to collaborate with some of this decade’s most celebrated UK musical talent
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Self Title Magazine
I think that’s what this Mary album is about—a fearless vulnerability.”
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WVCW
Blige definitely created a gem with this leap of faith.
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USA Today
Album has its feet in both soul and dance music. She's stronger and more confident than ever.
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Sydney Morning Herald
The majority of these tracks also have a spontaneous pleasure underpinning the craftsmanship.
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Cocoa Fly
Mary J. Blige made the smart move of working with producers overseas like Sam Smith, Disclosure and Naughty Boy.
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Cocoa Diaries
Truly innovative it may not be, but inspirational Mary J. Blige continues to be,
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Reviews by Cole
Blige wanted to work with different talent, including names such as Sam Smith & Emeli Sandé, to get a fresh perspective for this album, and I think it worked!
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The Sistah Cafe
I don’t know how she is doing it, but she is also singing the soundtrack to my life!!
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Aural Notes
The undisputed “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul” sojourned in London to “experiment with a new sound”, which yielded an album that’s a mix of R&B, soulful, electronic house and heartfelt ballads.
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Cindy's Love of Books
Blige sounds amazing. Each song is so different from the previous one and the whole cd just blends in so well.
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Rock On Philly
Blige has finally come back with a spectacular album that showcases her amazing vocals and touching lyrics.
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Paper Blog
This album took several listens for me to get into it.
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FKB Online
This album is truly special because it show’s that an artist of Blige’s stature and success can humble herself and get out of her comfort zone.
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Feeling Fit
Mary J Blige has done it again! Love the mix of the personal lyrics and the music.
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All About Harts
There is nothing bad I can say about this album! I totally love it!
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Amore Luxe
She is and always will be the queen of hip hop soul.
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Angies Angle
I’d be more than happy to have it come on the radio for me to listen to or my pandora, but owning the album wouldn’t be something I’d go for, personally.
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All Pen Everything
Genuinely a solid body of work that will be rotation for years. It’s the new classic.
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Music Feeds
Blige has cut her illest album in years!
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Candidly Shanti
The London Sessions is a mix between Mary J Blige’s soulful voice and a European vibe which equates to an amazing sound for the Queen of R&B.
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A Note Rote
The London Sessions is a fantastic album; another step forward for this great and enduring artist.
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Whitney Nic James
Definitely reveals MJB’s evolution as an artist and I cannot wait to add this classic and universal album to my collection.
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Busy Mom List
After listening to, The London Sessions, I have a newfound amount of respect for, Mary J Blige.
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Socialist Review
The album is well produced, but I felt a bit disappointed.
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Mommy Moments
I MAY NOT HAVE FELT ALL THE SONGS, BUT I CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON MARY TO HAVE SOME THAT GET INSIDE OF YOU.
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Naturally Glam
I like all types of music genres. You definitely still get the urban feel that you count on from Mary.
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Now Toronto
The record is full of fun, neatly placed touches (like the clarinets on Pick Me Up), and Blige’s voice is so perfect on dance tracks
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I Like It Frantic
Most of her music has a soul to it that can not be compared. I love that they touch me and make me stop and think about what the words are saying.
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Nikki and the City
An eclectic mix of “happy and depressed” Mary. From heart tugging ballads like “Whole Damn Year”, to the pick-me-up fun loving “Nobody But You”, Mary is giving us all sides of who she is on ‘The London Sessions’.
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Contact Music
But what could've been fascinating remains permanently looking for a spark,
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SF Gate
Things really pick up when Blige reaches back to her hip-hop soul club days, propped by a set of beats that broadly touch on everything from U.K. garage (“My Loving”) to modern house (“Pick Me Up”).
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Slant Magazine
It isn’t more than the sum of its highlights, but on the surface, it’s fun. Like a diary written in a bunch of different, eye-catching fonts.
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Bernetta Style
She is still making music that draws new fans and keeps the old one singing along. Her new album will be a hit for sure.
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Isra Box
Just happens to have her best round of songs, productions, and performances since The Breakthrough.
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That Grape Juice
We love that Mary was compelled to think outside the box and instead invite the world into the new one she’s built.
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Slacker
The London Sessions nonetheless offers a sharp mix of duly aching ballads and substantive, highly detailed club tracks that are in the soul-rooted lineage of classics.
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Love My CC
In the same musical vein that Aretha recorded Aretha In Paris in 1968, Mary J. Blige takes us on a musical journey.
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Music Connection
This means more deserved U.S. exposure for them and one of Blige’s most relevant sets in years.
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Speaker TV
It’s easy listening, but in need of some of that elusive snap, crackle and pop.
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