Usher

My Way

Excellent...

Review Score:

(10/10)
This album first came to the attention of my ears thanks to an old girlfriend in the equivalent of 8th grade who had nothing but good things to say about it. Naturally I was a little curious, and we agreed on a swap... it was a nervous time, would I miss my Blackstreet "Another Level" album?

Well, truth be told, I did miss it, but not to any fault of the Usher CD that temporarily replaced it, for this CD is an example of modern R&B at it's best. The biggest names in R&B production and writing were brought together for this project, with LA Reid and Babyface leading the way, closely followed by Jermaine Dupri and Puff Daddy who took executive producer credits on Usher's self titled '94 debut I believe.

The album kicks off in the best possible fashion, with the monster hit "You Make Me Wanna" that spent 13/14 weeks at the top of the US Charts, before Lil' Kim adds her vocal talents for the raunchy "Just Like Me". This paves the way for Usher to slow things down for the remainder of the album, the only excursion being that for "My Way". The best song in my opinion, leaves the listeners waiting until Track 9, and that is "One Day You'll Be Mine" where Jermaine Dupri utilises an amazing Isley Brothers from "Footsteps In The Dark", which also appeared on Ice Cube's "It Was A Good Day". Everything combined perfectly on this track, and I could sit for hours without even being tempted to move onto the next track.

Usher isn't the greatest of R&B vocalists but this was never the question, the final product is what matters, and married with the production and songwriting found here, the album becomes the classic it is. An essential purchase that shows no effects of age from the time it dropped 6 years ago now. The only complaint I have is that the album clocks in at 41 minutes long, and that's with the extended remix of "You Make Me Wanna", which leaves the listener yearning for more. Perhaps less is more in this case and the inclusion of another few tracks would have spoiled the continuity and quality of the release.

Highlight Tracks

"One Day You'll Be Mine", "You Make Me Wanna", "Nice & Slow"

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