Customer Reviews

Share My World

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

On her third album, Mary J. Blige steers away from much of the gritty hip hop soul of her first two CDs in favor of slightly polished r&b. In the case of "Share My World," that's not necessarily a bad thing. Here, she hooks up with a handful of the most popular producers in the business (R.Kelly, Jam and Lewis, Rodney Jerkins, and Babyface) and the results make up a pretty strong release. The Queen of Hip Hop Soul teams up with Queen Bee Lil' Kim on the infectious "I Can Love You," with production from Rodney Jerkins. Jam and Lewis, who are known for their work with Janet, give the sample-heavy but effective numbers "Love Is All We Need," and the excellent "Everything," which samples "You Are Everything" by the Stylistics. R. Kelly's one-groove-fits-all approach to production compliments Blige nicely in the duet "It's On," and we're also treated to the ballad "Missing You," which is unmistakably Babyface. And speaking of Babyface, he's also represented on the disc's closer, "Not Gon' Cry," which already appeared on the soundtrack to "Waiting to Exhale." "Share My World" proves that you can polish your sound without sounding like you're desperate for crossover appeal. Whether she does gritty hip hop or radio-friendly r&b, she's still the Queen of Hip Hop Soul.

Before, this album, I honestly admit I had tried to reduce Mary J to a better than average singer who had a LOT of work to do on her public personna. Well, time, and this album completely changed my mind. As a matter of fact, she was CHEATED out of a Grammy for best R&B album. Even the album after this one, "Mary" does not compare to "Share My World." This is where Mary shines! Maturity is quite evident in everything and having gotten adjusted to the fact that she can and will cover any tune she feels like it with her own bravado, I heartily cheer Mary on this project. Standout cuts include, "I Can Love You", the glorious title track, "Everything", "Missing You", "Not Gon Cry", "Searching",...get the picture? While the project immediately after this one is really good, this project will forever stand out as a milestone for Ms Blige. It is because of this project, that I decided to include EVERYTHING this woman has recorded into my collection as well. Go Mary J!

With "Share My World", Mary J continues her reign as the undisputed Queen of Hip Hop. The absence of Puff Daddy is recognizable, as the samples on this album are toned down. With new producers like Babyface, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Rodney Jerkins, Malik Pendleton, and not to mention the tracks that she herself cowrote, Mary conquers the hip hop world once again. As on "My Life" the pain is still there, but what makes this one differen't is that Mary sings more maturely on this album. Stand out cuts are the title track, "I Can Love You", "Seven Days", "Everything"... Although it doesn't live up to her previous efforts (at times it sounds like its overproduced), the best of Mary J. Blige is DEFINITELY on this album.

Peace El-715

1997 was a resurgent year for Mary J. Blige, the critically-acclaimed "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul." Throughout that year, she had a flock of television appearances such as the Essence Awards, Soul Train Music Awards, performed at the Grammys and appeared on TRL on MTV promoting the videos for the songs "I Can Love You" and "Love Is All We Need." During that year, she was nominated for consecutive Grammys for her groundbreaking 3rd album, "Share My World." If "My Life" was dubbed a classic in 1994, this album would prove itself as a dynamite follow-up to the impressive sophomore work. This album alone boasted 5 chart-topping singles which include, "Not Gon' Cry," "Missing You," (produced by Babyface) "Love Is All We Need," "Everything," (produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis) & "I Can Love You," which was produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. If the singles weren't enough to make this record a success, take a look at the album as a whole. "Share My World" is a growth for Mary J. Blige. She polished her sound considerably, added more depth in writing and producing confidently, sings with conviction unlike her previous two records and absolutely shares her point of view while carrying the audience with her on her quest of love and life. I love the singles as well as her title-track, "Share My World," also produced by "Darkchild," the smoldering duet with R. Kelly in "It's On," "Keep Your Head," (signature Mary) "Searching," [once again using Roy Ayers' material] "Can't Get You Off My Mind," featuring The Lox when they were signed with Puffy, "Seven Days," which also got some decent airplay, the sweet remake to "Our Love" and the east-coast hip-hop flavor of "Round and Round." In my book, this is Mary's best recording ever!!! Mary J., keep living your life, girl!!!

My God, this album has flown under the radar as one of the best of all-time. Yeah a lot of people are like Whats the 411? is her best album, even more are like My Life was her best album...NO!...Share My World is the best album that MJB has EVER made no doubt about it. When people talk about the best R&B albums, this album never gets mentioned and its sad because this album is one of the few albums you can listen to beginning to end without skipping a track.

Best Tracks:

I Can Love You
Love Is All We Need f. Nas
Share My World
Seven Days
Its On f. R.Kelly
Everyting
Can't Get You Off My Mind
Searching

But on the real, every song is hot!

This could've been Mary J.'s best if she just cut off a few songs. The first ten or so tracks are absolutely flawless. The hits just keep on coming and you are just like... 'man, this one is a classic." Then as the album winds down, there are quite a few trite, extremely repetitive filler songs. This is proven with lyrics like "keep your head to the sky/ I don't need to tell you why." (That's the chorus). The Lox make an unappreciated appearance. Luckily, the album ends with the great "Not Gon' Cry." It's a shame that the executive producers of this album just couldn't have cut off a few tracks. Either way, I still highly recommend this album because it only has three or four filler songs and ten or more amazing ones.

I have to agree with the others, this is one of her better albums. I remember when I got the tape, it was bootlegged, lmao. Did I just admit that? Yeah, I did oh well. But, anyway the tracks that stood out for me where "Can't Get You Off My Mind," "Share My World," "Searching," and " I Can Love You." I love this album it takes you back to a special place and the ballads are hitting close to home. I finally bought this album on CD yesterday and am glad I bought it.

This is Mary at her best, next to "My Life."

Big ups to Mary from getting away from Puff during this time too.

Kmecca

Mary J. Blige is a phenomenal singer with a beautiful voice. I loved her ever since her first album. When I heard this cd, I fell in love with every song, especially Share My World. I don't own this cd, but I will. I can't believe it's been almost ten years since this album came out. This is a great album, and I can't wait to get it.

"Share My World" was the first Blige album that I really noticed. Though I had purchased the "What's the 411" remix album, as well as the single "You Bring Me Joy" from the "My Life" album, I hadn't totally become a fan until the release of Mary's third album in 1997.

And what an album it is!!!

Blige's talented array of producers (Rodney Jenkins, Jam and Lewis, Babyface, and the ubiquitous R. Kelly, among others), gave the singer some of the strongest songs of her burgeoning career. They understood that the singer was the undisputed spokesperson of song for her generations, as well as one that possesses a style and personna that appeals to an older audience.

Highlights on the superior album include "I Can Love You," "Love is All WE Need," the title cut, the masterful "Seven Days," "It's On," "Missing You," "Everything," "Not Gon' Cry" (also found on the "Waiting to Exhale" soundtrack), and a dead-on-the-money remake of Natalie Cole's "Our Love."

Eight years may have passed since this album's release but it is still as contemporary (and, in some ways, better) as most of the music topping the charts today.

Only equalled by Mary's new album "The Breakthrough"!

...Tough but subtle.

While her street, ghetto roots puts out a 1-2-3 punch in her upbeat songs, it is her slow ballads songs that showcases why she is the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul".

And she has shared her world for her fans in this album.

Her toughness throughout her life can be heard through the lyrics of her upbeat songs. And when she sings it, you better watch out. Because she is going to be throwing 'bows left to right. And you might just get knocked out if you stand in her way.

In her slower ballads, just sit back and relax and listen as her timely lyrics, along with her voice, soothes away the pain from a long day. It's almost as if you can see right through her soul as she eases it away.

Her royal highness still reigns supreme today with her songs as she continues to sit atop of her throne of her loyal subjects who continue to support Queen Blige.

All Hail the Queen!