The Queen Mary J. Blige traveled across the Atlantic to record her new album, The London Sessions, but she’s back home and ready to share her new music and the story behind the album. She will perform at the 2014 American Music Awards, airing live on Sunday, November 23, on ABC, and has been honored with a nomination for Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B. Blige will also appear on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on December 1 and on “A Very GRAMMY Christmas,” a one-hour entertainment special that will air on December 5 on CBS.
With The London Sessions, her 13th studio album and first for Capitol Records, the legendary artist took a leap of faith and ventured far out of her comfort zone, both geographically and musically. The album was born in a whirlwind 20 days – 10 days writing and 10 days recording – and finds Blige forging vital creative connections with some of today’s most celebrated U.K. musical talent, including Disclosure, Eg White, Emile Sandé, Jimmy Napes, Naughty Boy, SAM ROMANS and Sam Smith. Many of the artists she had not even met prior to their sessions together. The album will be released on December 2.
After teaming up with Disclosure in early 2014 for a remix of “F for You,” which became a Top 10 dance hit in the U.K., Blige made plans to record an EP with the acclaimed house music duo. Happily, she found the scope of the project widening as introductions were made and London’s vibrant musical community embraced her, excited about playing a role in her evolution as an artist. Longtime collaborator Rodney Jenkins also joined Mary in the studio and produced several tracks.
“I was never expected to do more, jump further, go the extra mile,” recalls Blige. “But breaking boundaries happened for me the minute I left Yonkers…And I won’t stop as long as I live.”
Blige takes in London by night in the official video for “Right Now.” Produced by Disclosure, the song is one of four that Mary wrote with Sam Smith, who can be heard on background vocals.
Fans who pre-order The London Sessions digitally will instantly receive the following four tracks: “Therapy,” “Right Now,” “Whole Damn Year” and “When You’re Gone.”
“Vocally, Blige has never sounded better,” said SPIN while Complex observed, “Mary once again proves why she is a legend in the game.” “This new album has a distinctively fresh sound that is new for Blige, but it still keeps the emotive soul that we love from her,” noted Idolator.com. Vulture,com hailed lead single “Therapy,” which Blige co-wrote with Smith and Eg White, as “gorgeous” and named it as one of the “Best Songs of the Week.” Rolling Stone’s “In The Studio” piece on The London Sessions introduces fans to the new music and features interviews with Mary and her collaborators.
With a track record of eight multi-platinum albums, nine GRAMMY Awards (and a staggering 31 nominations), a 2012 Golden Globe nomination and four American Music Awards, Blige is a global superstar. Over the years, the singer/songwriter has attracted an intensely loyal fan base – responsible for propelling worldwide sales of more than 50 million albums.
Track Listing:
1. Therapy
2. Doubt
3. Not Loving You
4. When You’re Gone
5. Right Now
6. My Loving
7. Long Hard Look
8. Whole Damn Year
9. Nobody But You
10. Pick Me Up
11. Follow
12. Worth My Time
