Mary J Blige: 'Just Fine'

On paper, it looks like an excuse to lock your bedroom door, crank up your speakers and dance around like that mad old tramp from the bus stop. Mary J Blige, arguably our greatest contemporary soul singer, has hooked up with Christopher 'Tricky' Stewart, the knob-twiddler behind Rihanna's breathtaking enormo-hit 'Umbrella', for her most danceable single since 'Family Affair'. Sadly, the results are rather less than the sum of their parts.

"Having a really good time, I'm not complaining," Blige hollers over a warm 'n' fuzzy electro-R'n'B groove. "And I'm-a still wearing a smile if it's raining." Blige has been peddling this brave-faced survivor schtick for years, and Stewart's smooth, repetitive production does nothing to jolt her out of her comfort zone. To be honest, 'Just Fine' tells you everything you need to know.


> Click here to watch the 'Just Fine' video