Mariah Carey - "The Emancipation of Mimi"
She was one of the Nineties' biggest stars, scoring a number one every year for a decade. Later, she was better known for her physcological problems and the fact Virgin Records paid tens of millions of dollars just to get rid of her. But now Mariah Carey is back on top form.
Veering successfully between big, whitney-esque ballads and more "urban" material, she has drafted in studio heavyweights L.A Reid and The Neptunes (whose work on "Say Somethin'", her collaboration with Snoop Dogg, has a dreamy, Prince-like quality), but benefits most from Jermaine Dupri's sensitive production. Dupri gives tracks like "Shake it off" a cheeky bassline and punchy street edge that get heads nodding, while allowing Carey's voice to shine.
Mine Again represents a return to classic, epic-ballad territory and shows off her powerful vocal skills. And there's plenty more where that came from. With her dark days behind her; this classy comeback is set to remind the world just what Mariah Carey is all about. (The Evening Standard)
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