"Mary" is the fourth effort from "Mary J. Blige" and the second from her new label MCA. Selling 13 million albums world wide, Mary has established herself as the "Queen of Hip-Hop." This album shows a maturity and sophistication that have been noted in the new "Mary J. Blige." She has put down her "bad girl" image and stepped up to a great talent.

The 14 songs on this album are very laid back, but they have that certain "boom chicky boom" in the back to keep your toes tappin'. The first cut on this album is written, produced and arranged by Lauryn Hill. "All That I Can Say" gives you that lighter than air feeling, butXZ cx is grounded with that kick-ass bass. It's perfect for Mary's soulful voice, and shows a great depth of feeling behind the words, even though she didn't write this one. We all know she's still looking for the right man and when she finds him, she definitely knows what to say when he comes along.

The next song, "Sexy," is a street-ready, meltdown, adaptation of a Michael Jackson jam, with a sensual, sultry feel. The rap from Jadakiss from the Lox was tight. A sprinkling of spice in a sweet confection of delicious words of love. "Deep Inside" is written by Mary, from Mary, for those out there to "LOOK!" deep inside and see the real her. A song definitely from her heart. The simple words and basic beat from Elton John's "Bennie And The Jets" reinforce her message that she is just like you and me. This small insight into her world gives one the chance to go "Hmm" and put yourself in her shoes for a moment in time.

Thrust from her "ghetto life" beginnings into the spotlight, Mary has made a lot of mistakes and bad choices, but she has finally "come a long way baby," professionally as well as personally. Her maturity is in the music for all to hear.

"Beautiful Ones" is a beautiful love poem set to beautiful music. The words are meant to melt the heart and win the soul. The guitar solo by Earl Klugh at the beginning gives the feeling of a lovesick balladeer singing below their lover's window, and the song carries the feeling all the way to the end. The next cut, "I'm In Love," is a continuation of the feeling of love that is in the air from the previous track. The soulful sax in this song brings just a touch of a jazzy feel to the whole piece.

Her next offering, "Time," has a wonderful island feel to the beat. Anyone can recognize the Stevie Wonder influence in this song. He, Mary J. and Chucky Thompson wrote and produced this song, but I don't think that anyone would guess that Al Green is actually performing on it. I really love the break-beats on this track. "Memories" is a smoothed out groove to kick back to at home or bump in the ride. Love, Love, and more Love is still the theme, whether it's lost or newly found.

"Don't Waste Your Time," a duet with the original "Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin, gives Mary a chance to flex her vocal muscles and strut her stuff with an "in your face" type of song. It's a "Girl Power!" push for her, and I really loved it. "Not Lookin'," her second duet on the album, is with K-Ci Hailey from Jodeci. They come hard with that '70s soul feel in this song. I can really appreciate the mix of the two very traditional gospel voices, even if I don't really like the lyrics.

"Your Child" is a song with a serious message. The story told is a picture window into the lives of too many of our young people tod\

y. We are not being careful, responsible or honest with ourselves, as well as others, in our lives. I agree with Mary when she says "It's time to face reality." "No Happy Holidays," the next cut, is a simple but good song. I love the Billie Holiday bluesy feel in the verses. It's a very well produced track, right down to the "scratchy" record sounds in the background.

A big fan of Jimmy "Jam" Harris III and Terry Lewis, I really dug their use of live instruments on "The Love I Never Had." That funky feel, the big buildup and quick breakdowns that smooth out almost to a whisper, then to start all over again, well, a wonderful time was had by all in this song. The big production feel of the song is also excellent, and this will certainly be a perfect song for live performances.

Mary gives a very soulful feel to the pop song "Give Me You." It's a well written song in the traditional crossover vein. Break out the haltertops, bellbottoms, tube tops and platforms for the last track of this album. Look out Donna Summer here comes MARY!

My expectations of this album were greatly surpassed in this offering from "Mary J. Blige." This new format may not go over very well with her younger Hip-Hop fans, but for those of us who have matured along with her, we can get where you're comin' from and say "YOU GO GIRL!!!"