Forget ‘411,’ Mary J., Better Call 911

MARY J. BLIGE, “My Life” Uptow n (*1/2)

How could Blige lose so much heat in just two years?

The singer was a handful on her 1992 album “What’s the 411?,” a brassy debut brimming with ambition. She even had the nerve to do a velvety version of Chaka Khan’s “Sweet Thing.” Not many fledgling artists would have invited comparisons to such a soul-music icon on their first album, but that was Blige for you--bold and in control.

Much of this sophomore effort is drab, and the woman who has often been described as R&B;’s next reigning diva doesn’t seem to be enjoying herself. Aside from one track in which she confidently states, “Come into my bedroom, honey / What I got will make you spend money,” this album lacks funk and vinegar. It may evoke soul references from Barry White and the Mary Jane Girls to Rose Royce’s “I’m Going Down,” but Blige doesn’t add her own hard-core signature to any significant degree.

If this is Blige’s life, she could use a little jump start.

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Mary J. Blige: *5710 Spice 1: *5711 Billy Ray Cyrus: *5712 Aaron Tippin: *5713 Carla Olson: *5714 TimesLine is available in the (213), (310), (714), (818) and (909) area codes. From other regions, call TimesLine using the area code nearest you.