Album Info Hide Show Artist: Mary J. Blige Album: My Life Gatefold: Yes Released: Europe, 20 Nov 2020 Tracklist: A1 Intro 1:03 Producer – Chucky Thompson, Sean “Puffy” Combs Programmed By [Digital], Keyboards, Strings, Mixed By – “Bassy” Bob Brockmann Recorded By – Nashiem Myrick, Tony Maserati Written-By – Mary J. Blige A2 Mary Jane (All Night Long) 4:40 Instruments – Chucky Thompson Mixed By – Tony Maserati Producer – Chucky Thompson, Sean “Puffy” Combs Recorded By – Rich travali Written-By – Mary J. Blige, Rick James A3 You Bring Me Joy 4:13 Backing Vocals – Jo-Jo, LaTonya J. Blige Instruments – Chucky Thompson Mixed By – “Bassy” Bob Brockmann Producer – Chucky Thompson, Sean “Puffy” Combs Producer [Vocal Production] – Jo-Jo Recorded By, Programmed By – “Bassy” Bob Brockmann, Nashiem Myrick Written-By – Jo-Jo Hailey, Mary J. Blige A4 Marvin (Interlude) 0:37 Instruments – Chucky Thompson Mixed By – “Bassy” Bob Brockmann Producer – Chucky Thompson, Sean “Puffy” Combs Recorded By – “Bassy” Bob Brockmann, Nashiem Myrick Written-By, Performer – Mary J. Blige A5 I’m The Only Woman 4:30 Backing Vocals – LaTonya J. Blige Instruments – Chucky Thompson Mixed By – Tony Maserati Producer – Chucky Thompson, Sean “Puffy” Combs Recorded By – “Bassy” Bob Brockmann, Nashiem Myrick, “Prince” Charles Alexander, Tony Maserati Written-By – Mary J. Blige B1 K. Murray (Interlude) 0:22 Featuring – Keith Murray Mixed By – “Bassy” Bob Brockmann Producer – Chucky Thompson, Nashiem Myrick, Sean “Puffy” Combs Recorded By – Nashiem Myrick, Tony Maserati Written-By, Performer – Keith Murray B2 My Life 4:18 Backing Vocals – LaTonya J. Blige Instruments – Chucky Thompson Producer – Chucky Thompson, Sean “Puffy” Combs Programmed By [Additional] – Rashad Smith Of Tumblin’ Dice Productions, Inc. Recorded By – Nashiem Myrick, “Prince” Charles Alexander, Tony Maserati Written-By – Arlene DelValle, Mary J. Blige B3 You Gotta Believe 5:02 Backing Vocals – Faith Evans, K-Ci & Jo-Jo, Mary J. Blige Keyboards [Additional] – Chucky Thompson Music By, Instruments – Herb Middleton Producer – Chucky Thompson, Herb Middleton, Sean “Puffy Combs” Recorded By, Mixed By – “Bassy” Bob Brockmann Written-By – Big Bub, K-Ci Hailey, Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige B4 I Never Wanna Live Without You 6:15 Backing Vocals – Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige Instruments – Chucky Thompson Mixed By – Tony Maserati Music By, Keyboards [Additional] – Herb Middleton Producer – Chucky Thompson, Herb Middleton, Sean “Puffy” Combs Recorded By – “Bassy” Bob Brockmann, Nashiem Myrick, Rich travali, Tony Maserati Written-By – Big Bub, Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige C1 I’m Goin’ Down 3:42 Alto Saxophone – Vincent Henry Bass – Victor Bailey Cello – Eileen Folson Co-producer – Mark “Led” Ledford, “Prince” Charles Alexander Drums – Kevin “K-Dog” Johnson Guitar – Paul Pesco Harp – Gloria Agostini Keyboards – Fred McFarlane Lyrics By – Norman Whitfield Music By – Joel Schumacher Percussion – Frank Colon Piano – Lenny Underwood Producer – Chucky Thompson, Sean “Puffy” Combs Recorded By, Mixed By, Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo Flute – “Prince” Charles Alexander trumpet – Bruce Purse, Mark “Led” Ledford Violin – Diane Monroe, Lesa Terry, Regina Carter C2 My Life (Interlude) 1:15 Instruments – Chucky Thompson Mixed By – “Bassy” Bob Brockmann Producer – Chucky Thompson, Sean “Puffy” Combs Recorded By – “Bassy” Bob Brockmann, Nashiem Myrick, Tony Maserati Written-By – Big Bub, Mary J. Blige C3 Be With You 4:27 Instruments – Chucky Thompson Mixed By – “Bassy” Bob Brockmann Producer – Chucky Thompson, Sean “Puffy” Combs Recorded By – “Bassy” Bob Brockmann, Nashiem Myrick Written-By – Mary J. Blige C4 Mary’s Joint 4:59 Backing Vocals – LaTonya J. Blige Instruments – Chucky Thompson Mixed By – Tony Maserati Producer – Chucky Thompson, Sean “Puffy” Combs Recorded By – Nashiem Myrick, Tony Maserati Written-By – Mary J. Blige, Sean “Puffy” Combs D1 Don’t Go 4:59 Backing Vocals – Big Bub, Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige Instruments – Chucky Thompson Mixed By – Tony Maserati Producer – Chucky Thompson, Sean “Puffy” Combs Recorded By – Nashiem Myrick, Tony Maserati Written-By – Big Bub, Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige D2 I Love You 4:31 Instruments – Chucky Thompson Mixed By – Tony Maserati Producer – Chucky Thompson, Sean “Puffy” Combs Recorded By – “Bassy” Bob Brockmann, Nashiem Myrick, “Prince” Charles Alexander, Rob Paustian, Tony Maserati Written-By – Mary J. Blige, Sean “Puffy” Combs D3 No One Else 4:15 Arranged By – K-Ci, Mr. Dalvin Bass [Additional] – Darryl Pearson Producer, Instruments – Mr. Dalvin Recorded By, Mixed By – Rob Paustian Written-By – K-Ci Hailey D4 Be Happy 5:48 Backing Vocals – LaTonya J. Blige Instruments – Chucky Thompson Lyrics By – Arlene DelValle, Mary J. Blige Mixed By – “Prince” Charles Alexander, Tony Maserati Music By – Jean C. Olivier, Sean “Puffy” Combs Producer – Poke , Sean “Puffy” Combs Recorded By – Nashiem Myrick, “Prince” Charles Alexander Info About Buying Vinyl From Our Record Store We are a small independent record store located at 211 High St, Preston in Melbourne, Australia (North of Northcote, between Thornbury & Reservoir) We buy and sell new and used vinyl records – if you have a collection you’d like to sell please click here . We ship Australia wide for a flat rate of $10 for standard shipping or $15 for express post. Free Shipping for orders $150 and over. 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If you experience any problems with your order contact us so we can rectify the situation. If the record arrives damaged or doesn’t arrive we will cover the cost of replacing or returning the record. If you change your mind you have 30 days to return your record but you must cover the cost of returning it to the store. You can contact our Melbourne record shop at (03) 9939 3807 or at [email protected] Happy Listening! Description Hide Show Mary J. Blige’s “My Life,” released on November 29, 1994, stands as a seminal work in the realm of R&B and hip-hop soul. This album, her second studio effort, solidified Blige’s status as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul” and showcased her ability to blend raw emotion with powerful vocal performances. “My Life” was produced primarily by Sean “Puffy” Combs, who also served as the executive producer, alongside Chucky Thompson. The production team crafted a sound that was both contemporary and deeply rooted in the soul traditions of the past. The album features a mix of original compositions and samples from classic soul tracks, creating a rich tapestry of sound that complements Blige’s emotive delivery. The album opens with “Intro,” a brief spoken word piece that sets the tone for the deeply personal journey that follows. The title track, “My Life,” is a standout, featuring a sample from Roy Ayers’ “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.” Blige’s lyrics delve into themes of pain, struggle, and resilience, reflecting her own experiences with depression and an abusive relationship. Her vulnerability on this track, and throughout the album, resonated with many listeners who found solace in her honesty. Another highlight is “I’m Goin’ Down,” a cover of the Rose Royce classic. Blige’s rendition is both faithful to the original and imbued with her unique style, showcasing her ability to reinterpret and breathe new life into established songs. “Be Happy,” the album’s lead single, is an upbeat track that juxtaposes its infectious groove with lyrics about the search for inner peace and contentment. “Mary Jane (All Night Long)” is another notable track, sampling Mary Jane Girls’ “All Night Long.” The song’s smooth, laid-back vibe is a perfect backdrop for Blige’s sultry vocals. “You Bring Me Joy” and “I Love You” continue the album’s exploration of love and heartache, with Blige’s voice conveying a depth of emotion that few artists can match. “My Life” also features collaborations with other artists, including rapper Smif-N-Wessun on “I Love You (Remix)” and Keith Murray on “K. Murray Interlude.” These collaborations add a dynamic element to the album, blending Blige’s soulful sound with the gritty edge of hip-hop. The album’s production is characterized by its use of samples and live instrumentation, creating a sound that is both polished and organic. The use of samples from artists like Curtis Mayfield, Barry White, and Al Green pays homage to the soul greats while situating Blige within a contemporary context. The production’s lush arrangements and layered textures provide a perfect backdrop for Blige’s powerful vocals. “My Life” was both a critical and commercial success. It peaked at number seven on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album was certified triple platinum by the RIAA, cementing Blige’s status as a major force in the music industry. Critics praised the album for its emotional depth and Blige’s vocal performance, with many considering it one of the best R&B albums of the 1990s. In addition to its commercial success, “My Life” has had a lasting impact on the music industry. It has influenced countless artists and is often cited as a blueprint for blending R&B and hip-hop. The album’s themes of struggle and resilience continue to resonate with listeners, making it a timeless classic. In conclusion, Mary J. Blige’s “My Life” is a landmark album that showcases her incredible talent and emotional depth. Its blend of soulful melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and innovative production make it a standout work in her discography and a defining moment in the evolution of R&B and hip-hop soul. Product Reviews Hide Show Write a Review