Earlier this year, long-running American R&B singer Mary J. Blige hopped on a remix of Disclosure's "F for You." Not long after, she teamed up with Disclosure's breakout collaborator Sam Smith on a new version of his hit song "Stay with Me." Her UK love affair doesn't end there, however, as she's reportedly recorded an entire album in Britain.
The release, which is called The London Sessions, sees Blige re-teaming with both Disclosure and Sam Smith. The former co-produced some of the album and performed on at least one song, while the latter collaborates with the singer on a "doo-wop" track.
Disclosure confirmed their involvement in the project on Twitter:
In addition to those two acts, the album has a long list of British performers involved, including Emeli Sandé, Jimmy Napes, Naughty Boy, Sam Romans and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins.
In a lengthy interview with the Guardian, Blige gushed over her love of British music. "The music is free over here the way it used to be in the States," she said. "Artists are just free to do what they love. Listening to the radio you can hear the freedom. The music is living and breathing – you can hear that from Adele's last album. It was massive — a big deal. But she did what she loved."
She also explained that her collaborators were a huge inspiration in the project. "Working with these guys, it's like they're my family," she said. "We all seem to have a good chemistry together. And when I sign on, I sign on — I can't go hang out! Because I have to make sure that my music is right. And I love to work. I love creating, and once I'm in it, I'm just in it. I just love being all in the midst of the creativity."
The London Sessions is expected to arrive later this year.
The release, which is called The London Sessions, sees Blige re-teaming with both Disclosure and Sam Smith. The former co-produced some of the album and performed on at least one song, while the latter collaborates with the singer on a "doo-wop" track.
Disclosure confirmed their involvement in the project on Twitter:
We have been writing/producing some songs on @maryjblige 's forthcoming record with @jimmynapes and @samsmithworld http://t.co/ARu15Na8Jx
— Disclosure (@disclosure) September 1, 2014In addition to those two acts, the album has a long list of British performers involved, including Emeli Sandé, Jimmy Napes, Naughty Boy, Sam Romans and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins.
In a lengthy interview with the Guardian, Blige gushed over her love of British music. "The music is free over here the way it used to be in the States," she said. "Artists are just free to do what they love. Listening to the radio you can hear the freedom. The music is living and breathing – you can hear that from Adele's last album. It was massive — a big deal. But she did what she loved."
She also explained that her collaborators were a huge inspiration in the project. "Working with these guys, it's like they're my family," she said. "We all seem to have a good chemistry together. And when I sign on, I sign on — I can't go hang out! Because I have to make sure that my music is right. And I love to work. I love creating, and once I'm in it, I'm just in it. I just love being all in the midst of the creativity."
The London Sessions is expected to arrive later this year.
