NEW RELEASE OF THE MONTH
JUNE 2014
MARY J. BLIGETHINK LIKE A MAN TOO (Music From & Inspired By The Film)
While it is a soundtrack album of sorts, 'Think Like A Man Too' can be viewed as the latest in a series of strong album releases from Mary J. Blige. The film is set in Las Vegas and begins appropriately  with the Queen of Hip Hop's fun remake of the Shalamar hit "A Night To Remember". Her version doesn't beat the original, but sets up the mood so well.  You just know you are in for an enjoyable ride, and Blige doesn't disappoint.
The D-Ream joins her on "Vegas Nights", where Blige name-checks R&B artists that include Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Bobby Womack, James Brown, Lionel Richie, Barry White, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson and Gladys Knight. It makes for a cruisy track.  
The roll call continues on "Moment Of Love" where Blige references a "Diana Ross" 'tude. This is an easy groove to enjoy.
Pharrell Williams, the hottest property in music at present, joins Blige on "See That Boy Again", 1 of the album's strongest tracks. The horns make this song irresistible. 
"Wonderful" keeps the mood going, another of the hook-laden delights on this album. Blige slows things down with her gentler love song "Kiss And Make Up".  
Half of the album's songs were co-written by The-Dream and Christopher Stewart. The 2 provide Blige with some welcome additions to her catalogue. "Cargo" is definitely 1 of them.
"Suitcase" sees Blige channel Beyonce on a cut that could easily have come from 1 of Mrs Carter's albums. 
Next is "I Want You": classic Blige but with a blast of today. Her vocals wrap around its groove so tightly. It was co-written by Jazmine Sullivan who scored success with her amazing R&B revenge song "Bust Your Windows" in 2008. It's little wonder this is my fave track on the album.
Blige slows down again for "Self Love", pleading to her man that she wants him to love her "like I'm you". It's 1 of Blige's best ballads.
The singer helped write 5 of the 14 tracks. "Power Back" is the weakest, but still an okay track. It's as if the album has run out of steam by track 11. "All Fun and Games" lifts the album back up with its catchy beat and Blige's able vocals. It's the latter asset that holds the audience. "Better" rewards you for your persistence in droves. Blige is in fine voice here. "Propose" brings the new album to its conclusion. It's a sweet love song which Mary J. makes extra special, as is the production. 
'Think Like A Man Too' is largely the soundtrack to a sequel. I have not seen the 1st film and am unlikely to watch the 2nd. If I do, it will be because of this album. In any case, you don't need to know anything about either film to enjoy what is essentially the latest Blige album. It serves to remind us how much we have missed MJB and how underrated her vocal talent still is.