AMG Review of Uptown MTV Unplugged

Ron Wynn
All Music Guide

New jack vocals are the main course on this latest entry in the unplugged sweepstakes, a collection featuring artists from MCA's Uptown label. Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, Father M.C., Christopher Williams, and Heavy D and the Boyz are the participants, with Jodeci and Williams sounding energetic and animated, if at times a bit overwrought. Blige, whom one might expect to dominate the proceedings, comes across more understated than expected, while Heavy D. turns in his customary mix of humor and hip-hop insolence, and Father M.C. does something that's in between balladry, rapping, and comedy.