We thought that the only thing Mary J. Blige had going on this weekend was her Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit in Atlanta, but she had a surprise waiting for us the whole time. Her legion of fans worldwide awoke to the unexpected release of an expanded edition of her latest album Good Morning Gorgeous.
Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe) ups the ante on MJB's original 13-song project released in February with the addition of six new tracks and a slew of guest artists. Included amongst the new joints is the "Good Morning Gorgeous (Remix)" with H.E.R. that dropped in late March. That's the only previously released song on the deluxe, with the remaining cuts fresh outta the oven and just as hot.
After joining Mary on the single "Amazing," DJ Khaled is back for another one on the track "Gone Forever," which also features a fiery hot 16 from Remy Ma. The song is sequenced between "Rent Money" and "Amazing" on the tracklist and fits perfectly between the two hip-hop soul jams.
More hip-hop soul and Blige's brand of music therapy keeps coming on the next new song, "Tough Love" featuring rapper Moneybagg Yo. Mary sings about needing to give herself some tough love to get through this thing called life over smooth, soulful production from D'Mile and DJ Cassidy. Like "Gone Forever," this song is added to the original album's tracklist between "On Top" and "Love Without The Heartbreak" and the transition between songs is smooth and natural.
The remaining additions to the deluxe edition come at the end of the album along with the "Good Morning Gorgeous (Remix)." After the previous closer – the Usher-featuring bop "Need Love" – ends, Ne-Yo hops on to join Mary on "Running." The song takes what started in "Need Love" and kicks the relationship up several notches. The duet partners sound great together sharing their passionate pleas about needing each other.
A remix for "Rent Money" follows with Dave East replaced by new bars from Jadakiss and rap group Griselda. The star here is Jada, of course, who sets the tone early with his lyrical dexterity on his intro that now starts the song and upstages everyone else (even Mary) quite frankly.
The deluxe album ends with "Come See About Me" featuring Fabolous, who holds Mary down on the intro and first verse over a knocking sample. MJB eventually comes through to remind us that this is, in fact, her song. She rides the beat as she sings to her lover who's down for a good time and a lifetime.
When it comes to deluxe albums, Mary J. Blige's Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe) hits all the right notes. The additions enhance the original project and actually help to make it a more cohesive, complete collection. Mary J. remains in her bag while her reign continues.
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