Mariah Carey Connection

Released on 01/09/08
Label: Mercury/Universal
Rating: 8/10

Despite the title’s suggestion that Mariah Carey’s been taking lyrical inspiration from the ladyboys of Bangkok, “I’ll Be Loving U Long Time” is actually the classiest thing she’s done in an age. Great songs have all too often been the prime casualty of Carey’s decade-long mission to be street at all costs, and “I’ll Be Loving U Long Time” confirms just how much she’s been missing them.

It’s old school Mariah, relying on her honey-dipped vocals, melodic charms and ’70s disco sensibilities for memorable moments, not her ear-splitting range and a phoned-in performance for the latest hip-hop thing. For once it’s less about the production credits and everything to do with a cruising New York vibe, a sublime string sample and a chorus that swoons with blessed-out sweetness. The unavoidable truth is that the second Mariah’s stopped trying so hard to be cool, she’s found herself an instant classic and it’s been a long time since she had one of those.

Source: DotMusic