Mary has come a long way. I'm so glad her music is reflecting her growth.

I love this CD. It is soulfull, emotions flow in her voice. She is a DIVA. And a very human one. Her live has make her stronger, wiser.

MARY "NO MORE DRAMA" AND THE BREAKTHROUGH" IS PROBABLY HER BEST TWO ALBUMS SHE HAS RECORDED. I LOVE ALL OF MARY'S SONGS SHE SINGS, BUT THESE TWO ALBUMS, YOU CAN'T PICK A FAVORITE THEY ARE ALL GOOD. SHE PUTS HER HEART AND SOUL IN EVERYTHING SHE DOES. LOVE YOU MARY KEEPING ON SINGING.

I love Mary J. But the songs on this CD provides a little something for everyone. No matter what kind of music you like she has something for you. I love this CD as I feel I have grown with her and gone through her struggles right along with her. This is a must have for any Mary J Blige fan.

I found this Grammy-winning album to be a real triumph for Mary. It is truly a delight to hear her come back strong after all she's been through. I highly recommend this album.

After a disappointing sixth album, Love & Life, Mary truly had a come back with this album. Not only did it sell almost three million copies to date, 720,000 of those from the first week, but she was also nominated for eight Grammy awards. (She should've won them all, but of course the Grammy committee has to give the golden prize to some country group just because they distastefully speak out about politics). Anyways... I love this album. It is one of my favorites. All of the songs are excellent and I can listen to the whole thing straight through. I especially love "No One Will Do", "Alone" and "I Found My Everything." Those are some beautiful songs. Mary delivers a beautiful performance on the remake of U2's "One." (She actually made me like a U2 song. That in itself is a miracle.) I highly recommend that you buy this, especially at the great price Amazon offers.

A few years ago I listened to the "Mary" CD over and over. She won a grammy for Breakthrough so I had to buy it. What a screaming mess of music. There is one somewhat soulful song on this CD and the rest is screeching...blah. Screeching a song doesn't create "feeling" and soul.

I love the music of Mary J. Blige. My favorite track on this album is Take Me As I Am. This is an excellent song about self acceptance and loving yourself. This is a very inspirational song for anyone who is struggling in life. No One Will Do is a standout track. This is a song about the love Mary has for her husband. Another highlight on this CD is MJB Da MVP. This song is about the ups and downs of Mary's life and career in the music business. It is a great dance track. Be Without You is another gem on this album. This is a heart wrenching hit song about missing a loved one. One is a very strong track too. Bono and Mary sound great singing together. Mary gives this classic U2 song a special touch with her soulful voice. The songs on this CD are very personal. The Breakthrough is the best album in the career of Mary J. Blige.

I hadn't bought a Mary J. Blige album since Mary and now I wondering why. Her albums are always very good and full of good songs that you can actually listen to. On this album Mary had some really good things to say and let out. it is appropriately titled as Breakthrough. accept for the song with Bono and Jay Z I can listen over and over again.

I love Mary living free in personal redemption she's struggled to achieve, and her music moves me in a way few singers do. I downloaded this CD from Itunes, havent read the liner notes,etc., so cant comment on the musicians/producers she works with here, but the writing, the musical arrangements and cohesion of the material, and unforgettable singing indicate that Blige is working at the top of her game. Breakthrough's the kind of deep soul effort I hoped Mary would do. 'Take Me As I Am', 'Be Without You', her collaboration with U2 on 'One', 'Father in You', and 'About You' that magically weaves musical goddess Nina Simone's take of 'Feelin Good' and f/Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am are real highlights of an CD that never lets up, breathing peace every step of the way. Blige's giant musicianship proves her as a vivid creative force &Breakthrough's a liberating joy from beginning to end.

I purchased this for my granddaughter for Christmas who is a great fan of Mary J. Blige. I, however, am not really interested in her style of music but if my granddaughter says it's great....then this is her review. I'm just the messenger.

Such a fantastic array of songs from the queen of Hip Hop Soul.
No one does it better than MJB

Mary is at it again!! I love this album!!!!! I can see why Mary J.Blige received so many Grammy nominations. Mary Fans: You will not be disappointed. I listen to this album EVERY day at work,singing along looking like a fool!! :)

This song has my undivided attention. My marriage is in a mess, we are seeking help. This song hits home with me. I've been in relationships and I didn't know how to accept a man in a mans role. I never knew my father, I too tried to make up the mans role in my mothers life by trying to be all that a mate was to do to keep a wife smiling, happy and feeling Unconditionally Loved. Now in my life I don't know how to accept a man giving Unconditional Love. Yes, thats what I need the Father in my HUSBAND! This is scary for me, a problem I'm addressing at this time in my life is a beautiful song sung by my shero Mary J. What a Blessing!!!

Of course what's not to love. This is MJB! I love her music.

I love this CD. I bought it for track 4 (Be Without You), however, my favorite thing on this CD is the hidden track. Once track 16 (One) is done playing some other song comes on and it just makes me smile. I've been a fan of MJB for a long time and this is my favorite CD of her so far. Happy listening!

Everything about this shipment was perfect!!! I received it on time for Christmas and my daughter loved it.

The music in this CD reflects the title and the changes in the personal lifestyle and outlook of the artist. It is full of forceful lyrics and melodies and will make you want to say "you go girl".

Yes, this album by Mary is Superb! No questions asked, but I think even she would take a lesson from Aretha. Aretha is Queen...everybody knows it. Mary is next in line, and few would debate that, but we still have Aretha!

I have loved Mary form the first moment that I have heard her voice all those years ago, but "Breakthrough" is her crowning achievement, a tour de force. She has become officially the new Queen of R&B. She should win every award out there for this CD. There aren't enough words to do this CD credit. There is nary a weak song. I start to make a list of my favorite songs, but got stumped so I'm just mention: No One Will Do, Enough Cryin, About You, Be Without you, Good Woman Down, Take Me as I am, MJB Da MVP and One. Mary's voice simply overpowers Bono in "One." Mary, your loyal subject genuflects before your greatness. What a voice!

Mary J. Blige has always been one of my favorite artists. The Breakthrough is a CD of my life. I can relate to it on a personal level. My favorite song is Enough Cryin.

Mary did a fantastic job on this CD... Song #1 is my favorite... it's on repeat in the car!!!

Mary is one of those artists that it doesn't matter what she comes out with, I will always support her and buy her albums. I have been a fan rocking to her music ever since she came out with "What's the 411", and I have every single album since then, including imports. God creates everyone with a purpose and passion, and when Mary sings - you know that music is why she was put here on this earth. There is nothing fake or "manufactured" about her like some of these female vocalists out there on the scene today (I won't mention any names). This album is no doubt her best work so far. Just to hear her growth - not just musically but spiritually - inspires me and I'm so proud of her. She deserves all the awards & accolades, and if she is not recognized for this work of art, then there is no doubt in my mind that the music industry is seriously flawed.

I think track # 10 sums it up: Hate it or love it, Mary J Blige is always gonna shine. She truly is the soul/ hip hop queen. This album is phenomenal

I haven't bought an MJB album since her first (I actually have a cassette tape of her first album...how old does THAT make me?). Not because I wasn't a fan, just because she gets enough airplay, I'd get plenty of her by just listening to the radio. But, I LOVE this album. This is truly our next...dare I say...Aretha Franklin!

The albulm is a Bomb. It's a must have in the library.

Before this cd I had a intellectual appreciation for Mary's voice. I knew she could sing and I would listen to some of her songs, but she never moved me with her music or words. However, this cd seems to be coming from a whole new place within her. Before, her songs didn't seem to be coming from within her. Now, it's like she's put her whole heart into the words and music. I have an all new appreciation for this artist, and I've bought my first Mary J Blige cd. I hope she keeps up the good work.

Check out: Take Me As I AM

Mary J. is always a good choice. She has the voice and her songs always hit the charts. Love her song 'Enough Cryin'. Ladies, we need to take care of our innerselves and our men need to respect us.

This CD rocks; it is strong from start to finish. I especially like the track, "Be Without You", the club version of this song is one of the best i have ever heard, I go to the clubs specifically to dance to it..if you can't move your body to that song you'd better check your pulse. This is Ms. Blige's best work to date, she just get's better with every new release. If you get into music with soul and passion, with more than a touch of groove, then you will not be disappointed in this CD. Highly recommended.

"The Breakthrough" really is one of the best albums of 2006 (I know it was released in 2005, but it was at the end of the year, has continued to be a big airwave-influence this year, and will be eligible for this year's Grammy Awards.) There is not one dud song on here. I personally like almost every song. The only one's I do not like are "Good Woman Down," "Baggage," "Ain't Really Love," and "Father in You." It is not that they are bad songs, I just can't personally relate to them right now or I am just not feeling those. All the other songs are outstanding for me, and I like this because even though I think Mary is probably speaking to people in these songs, as a Christian I am really able to speak many of them to Jesus and he speaks to me through them. Songs like "No One Will Do," "Be Without You," "Gonna Breakthrough" and "Can't Get Enough" can take on spiritual themes. And songs like "Take Me As I Am" and "Can't Hide From Love" are becoming faves of mine too. After the somewhat disappointing "Love and Life" (though I still liked it, I think all of Diddy's monotonous production weighed it down some), it rocks to see MJB coming back roaring like this. Also, there is a hidden bonus track after "One" that is a good dance song with a good message, even if the track does rip-off No Doubt's "Hella Good" somewhat.

Let me tell you that this is Mary's best in a while. Of course nothing tops "My Life". Every track has a purpose and everything flows well. This one is definitely a keeper. Her shows are absolutely amazing, and if anyone gets the opportunity should check her out.

For those familiar with the passion in Mary J's music, this album is in no way dissappointing. Some of the deepest and almost intangible emotions are encapsulated by Mary, in her unique and penetrating style. The listener is touched and captivated. For those not yet familiar with Mary J's empassioned vocals and tasty beats, I recommend this album as a wonderful introduction.

fast shipping and perfect cd. i love this cd!!!!

I have been a Mary J. Blige fan since her heyday in the early `90s; in fact, I even remember when she used to sing backup for Father MC. But while her first four albums were great, her next two albums were kind of average. Also, as my brother said, her voice was starting to weaken. But as soon as I first heard "Be Without You" on the radio, I was blown away and I had a feeling she was making a comeback. And she does just that on The Breakthrough.

There are great songs aplenty on here, so it's hard to pick any one as the favorite. But introspective tracks duly impress, like "Father In You" and the motivational "Good Woman Down". "Baggage" is also stellar, as it has Mary telling her man that she's not bringing her problems to THEIR relationship or blaming him for them (why can't MORE women say things like tha--never mind).

Other highlights include "Take Me As I Am", the cover of U2's "One" (complete with U2), and the Raphael Saadiq-assisted "I Found My Everything". And while I never really cared for Mary's rapping alter-ego Brook-lyn, the rap in "Enough Cryin" actually makes a great song even better. That always isn't the case, though, as evidenced by "Gonna Breakthrough".

There aren't many fast songs to be found on here, which is good because that's what brought her last two albums down; case in point: I didn't care for the hidden bonus track. And the musical timeline found in "MJB Da MVP" would be great if it wasn't for the lazy sample of a sample (it lifts 50 Cent's chorus from Game's "Hate It Or Love It"). The album as a whole is also a tad long at 73 minutes.

But The Breakthrough is still great. Take heed, though: don't buy this expecting another What's the 411 or My Life. Just enjoy the album for what it is, and I'm sure you'll be as pleased with it as I am.

Anthony Rupert

This CD is awesome!! Mary pulled out all the stops on this one!