Mary J. Blige: Love & Life

By RUSSELL BAILLIE

(Herald rating: * * *)

All of a sudden, it's a hip-hop diva flash-flood with albums from Beyonce, Ashanti and the relatively veteran Mary J. Blige vying for space on the new release shelves.

Blige's fifth sees her working with everyone from old mentor 'Sean Puffy' Combs, who produces much of this, to rappers 50 Cent, Eve, Jay Z and Method Man. But despite the names, this continues Blige's progressive swing away from hip-hop stylings into high-sheen soul-settings which get increasingly lush as the 19 tracks (including interludes) progress.

While too many of those don't rise above the usual R&B cliche, Blige's gritty voice is again her saving grace. That's especially when it's veering towards the blues on Don't Go, towards Aretha on When We or Ooh!, trading lines with Eve over the echoes of 80s funk on the Dr Dre-produced Not Today, or pulling a strip off the man who done her wrong (again) on It's A Wrap . If only the songs had as much spirit as the voice singing them.


Label: Geffen