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Amazon.co.uk Review
With No More Drama, Mary J Blige's enlisting of hip-hop's finest beat makers to create lush musical soundscapes is nothing short of genius. On the Dr Dre-produced "Family Affair", Blige implores the club set to "get crunk 'cause Mary's back" as she introduces some new slang to the hip-hop vernacular ("holleration"). "Steal Away " is a classic Neptunes-induced head-nodder in the "Love is All We Need" vein, as Pharrell Williams chimes in a Curtis Mayfield-like falsetto. Those who like their R&B straight might be offended by the acoustic guitar solo by Lenny Kravitz on "PMS" or the album's title track, which samples the theme from The Young and The Restless! soap opera. But listen to "Where I've Been" (a redemptive tale of Blige's not-so-rapid ascent from the 'hood featuring guest raps from Eve) and the Missy Elliott-assisted "Never Been" and misgivings vanish. Whereas past Mary J efforts were limited to tales of relationships gone awry, her outlook is more diverse and upbeat while her scratchy, bluesy vocals have become more expansive, too. She raps on "Love", scats on "Beautiful Day", chats on the a cappella "Forever No More", and caps No More Drama with a string of uplifting ballads ("2 U", "In the Meantime"), neatly polishing off a release that will stand as one of the best of 2001. --Dalton Higgins
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Another Bargain From BARRIE'S DISCS......
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The creator of Hip-Hop soul is back and one of the most eagerly awaited albums of 2001 doesn't disappoint.Mary J Blige 5th Album No More Drama is a blend of slick hip hop beats, amazing vocals and funky R'n'B hooks.The album is impeccablely produced with guest producers including,Dr.Dre on first single Family Affair,the Neptunes on the excellent Steal Away,Missy Elliot on Never Been and Jimmy Jam+ Terry Lewis on the title track No More Drama.Each producer allows Marys unique style to shine through and it truely does shine.The pick of the tracks are definately Family affair its just so catchy, Steal away, Crazy Games,No more Drama with its gorgeous piano hook and Where I've Been with the always excellent Eve.One of Mary's stand out characteristics is her ability to convey raw emotion in her music and her ability to convey her pain at failed romances.She succeeds on the first count the raw emotion is still there in alls it glory but the lyrics on this album have changed as Mary's life has progressed.Unfortunately on songs like Dance For Me,Family Affair,Keep it moving and PMS(with the sample of Simply Beautiful by Al Green) the lyrics are pretty pathetic and not up to the usual standard we have come to expect from Mary.Still this album is a real achievement.Mary has again shown the way for Hip-hop soul like her debut album Whats the 411 this album is a breath of fresh air. Its definately one of the best albums of 2001 by a female artist along with Alicia Keys , Sunshine Anderson and Erykah Badu.This is a must for all Mary Fans and also for those who enjoy R'n'B,Hip Hop or soul music as this is a pretty diverse sounding album.Mary is Truely back and with album she is ready to reclaim her crown as the Queen of R'n'B/Hip-hop soul
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The queen of R'n'B has struck again and has successfully managed to produce another excellent album. not only is it original, but it also features quite a few famous rap artists who put the icing on the cake of this marvellous work-of-art. Before her U.K. single 'Family Affair' I must admit, sadly, that I had no idea who Mary J. Blige was or what she was about. but after hearing her song a number of times on the radio, I decided to buy her album and have a good listen to it and was extremely impressed with the quialty of singing that was on it. I then went out and bought all of her other albums and I'm glad that I have invested in them. Better late than never!! I would therefore definitely recommend No MOre DRama for all the R'n'B lovers out there. This one is for you.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album just keeps on growing on me...At first I saw that it clocked in at just under 75 minutes and wondered how much rubbish I'd have to wade through to get to the few standout tracks. But the whole album is a magnum opus, with Mary covering soul, jazz, hip-hop, r&b, and even reciting a poem. (Yep, I groaned and thought this would be painful, but it's actually pretty good, plus she reads it quickly).After a couple of plays you really get into it and want to keep listening to it all in one sitting, the songs melding into each other.But the best thing is her voice- so distinctive. She's also a woman with her own style and makes some of those bragging male hip-hop stars look so immature and negative. One song is even on the theme of PMS, with the backing singers crooning 'P...M...S' whilst Mary talks about how 'my lower back is aching...and my clothes don't fit.' Sheer excellence!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
great album
great album but you have to have seen title track performed live (or on video) to get the full emotion.
Published 18 months ago by Steve2020
Amazing
I bought this album this album as I'm a mary's fan. And I'm very please with it. The message is possitive and strong and you easily relate to it. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Kris971
SIMPLY THE BEST
You can't get ant better this is the best R&B album ever. Mary at her absolute best, you would be fool to not have this in your collection!
Published on 25 Jan 2008 by vino
Boring zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!
This has got to be the worst album Mary has released, apart from 3 or 4 tracks it is so so dull and boring. Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2006
Sorry to bring the rating down!!!!
I know I'm in the minority however I have to stick to my guns and I really wanted to like it, since I loved the singles she released from the album, it was the first and only MJB... Read more
Published on 27 May 2005 by Ms. E. J. C. Farley
I wanted to like it but just couldn't.
Without a doubt Mary has a place in R & B folklore but this album just doesn't float my boat. The beats are tired and fall short of the usual inventiveness I am used to from... Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2002
The Queen of HipHop returns
Just got the album and I am well impressed. Mary is fantastic, she has one of the best voices in music today, the feeling and expression she exudes is unmistakable. Read more
Published on 23 Sep 2001 by Mr. T. Febland
One of Mary's classic albums ( The Return Of Mary )
The Return Of Mary. Mary is back with her unique street and gospel influence stlye. Didn't really enjoy the last albums but loved all the others? You will love this one. Read more
Published on 29 Aug 2001
Mary J Blige's voice as deep and sexy as ever
In her last album "Mary" Mary J promised us a new album in the year 2000, 2 years later it is definately worth the wait! Read more
Published on 28 Aug 2001
Love, Groove and some seriously sexy music
Mary J is back with avengence in the is great new album. From the seriously sexy 'Dance for Me' which just forces u to move your hips, to the fun 'PMS' and reflective 'No More... Read more
Published on 28 Aug 2001 by J. Varney
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