The latest from Mary J. Blige

Singer Mary J. Blige performs on Nov. 20, 2011, during... — Singer Mary J. Blige performs on Nov. 20, 2011, during the 2011 American Music Awards at Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. Credit: Getty Images

By GLENN GAMBOAglenn.gamboa@newsday.comNovember 21, 2011

When Mary J. Blige released her classic "My Life" album in 1994, she was enjoying the highs in her career and weathering the lows of her personal life, battling depression and drug abuse.

So it's definitely a personal improvement that the sequel, "My Life II: The Journey Continues, Act 1" (Geffen), is far more even-keeled, even if it lacks some of the passion of the original.

The bulk of "My Life II" is focused on updating the quiet-storm R&B ballads of the late '70s and early '80s, delivered emotionally in "The Living Proof" and stylishly with Beyoncé in "Love a Woman." Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of the Mary passion we've grown to love. She gets exorcised a bit in "25/8" and energized on a cover of Rufus featuring Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody."

But mostly the firepower on "My Life II" comes from her guest stars, including Drake on the current single "Mr. Wrong," Busta Rhymes on "Next Level" and Rick Ross on "Why." Knowing Blige, though, this situation won't last long.