Mary J. Blige Among Artists Featured On "Precious" Soundtrack

November 24, 2009 6:03 a.m. EST

Santa Monica, CA (CNS) - One of the year's most renowned movies comes complete with a soundtrack of equally high quality status.

Lionsgate Music's official soundtrack for the film "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" was released in stores on November 23. First available online on November 3, the album contains an array of groundbreaking music that has received accolades from critics.

Among the songs is Mary J. Blige's new hit single "I Can See in Color." Blige's piece, the lead-off track for the album, has garnered praise from Rolling Stone, noting the syncopation between the "knockout song" and the ambitions of the movie's lead character. Also including pieces from artists such as Queen Latifah, Donna Allen, Jean Carn, Sunny Gale, Grace Hightower, Labelle and more, the soundtrack is filled with music specifically chosen for the film.

In a press release for the album, "Precious" director and producer Lee Daniels explained the songs were picked because they "resonate not only in Precious' world, but speak to your soul no matter who you are."

Precious, the main character of the film, is an overweight, unhappy teen living in 1987 Harlem. Struggling with a violent, abusive home life, pregnancy and an inability to cope with school work, she must fight overwhelming odds to make herself see her own worth and reflect that toward others in her life. Included in the cast are Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz and newcomer Gabourey Sidibe as Precious. Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry are among the movie's executive producers.

The film has generated a great deal of buzz for the upcoming movie awards season, already taking home the Grand Jury Prize, among other honors, at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. It has also been screened at the Cannes International Film Festival, the New York Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival.