Mary J Blige talks working with Jimmy Napes, Naughty Boy, and teases new UK Garage-inspired track ‘Pick Me Up’

Mary J Blige has given a rare insight into the recording of her upcoming The London Sessions record, alluding that “the UK is a better place to make music than the States”.

In an interview released with The Observer earlier today, the iconic Soul Queen confirmed that she had been using her time in the UK to record with the links of Naughty Boy and Jimmy Napes (the latter responsible for the writing of much of Disclosure’s debut album, the acclaimed Settle), with the vision of the new LP focusing on London as a city fuelled with strong talent.

“Our idea was to become part of London” said Blige, during a break at the recording sessions in the capital’s RAK studios, following that the opportunity to record the album was a chance to “really embrace the culture – to really live in it. Not that I haven’t been here before, but I’ve never had the chance to really soak in it the way I have this time. To make records from the London-scene perspective.”

A pure example of the direction Blige will be heading with the new collection is Pick Me Up. Produced by Naughty Boy and co-written by the producer’s long-term collaborator Emeli Sande, Pick Me Up, according to The Observer, ‘mixes sub-bass with clarinet and a percussion sound that recalls early 00s UK garage’. It’s clear from this example that Blige has openly taken to the London scene, and the diversity it offers versus its US counterparts.

Mary J’s addition into the radio edit of Disclosure’s F For You proved that toward the turn of the year, with writer Napes confirming regardless of the singer’s iconic-impression within the industry, opted to collaborate and add her own elements in, versus rewriting the track in its entirety and releasing it off her own accord. Howard Lawrence (one half of Disclosure), has applauded Blige’s inclusion into the release – “she wrote something we believe totally fits with the track stylistically – it’s an excellent house music vocal” he says, adding “but she [Blige] also chose to send it over and say ‘what do you guys think’? As opposed to putting it straight out and saying ‘I don’t care what those guys think, I’m Mary J Blige.”‘.

Mary J Blige has been often struggling to grasp a new audience over the years; the sequel to her acclaimed 1994 album My Life, whilst both a critical and commercial success, failed to live up to hype of its predecessor upon its release in 2011, whilst her festive collection, last year’s A Mary Christmas, seemed that it could never encapsulate the yuletide season like Mariah Carey.

It therefore seems fitting that 2014 sees a complete turning-point in Blige’s career, and one that we genuinely can’t wait to hear more of. Following her collaboration with Disclosure as well as Sam Smith (Stay With Me), the fact Mary J is turning (and heralding) UK talents is something that can only be applauded.

Mary J Blige’s The London Sessions is expected to land in November; we’re hopeful for at least one single before then too.