Picks and Pans Review: The Essential Mary J. Blige

By Chuck Arnold, TIFFANY McGEE

UPDATED 12/24/2007 at 01:00 AM EST • Originally published 12/24/2007 at 01:00 AM EST

What's the 411? (1992) The debut that instantly crowned her the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.

My Life (1994) Her masterpiece, hands down.

Mary (1999) Blige furthers her move away from hip-hop toward classic soul. Even pairs with Aretha.

The Breakthrough (2005) Grammy gold.