Usher My Way CD

Personnel: Usher, Monica, Lil' Kim (vocals); Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal (various instruments, background vocals); Greg Phillinganes (piano); Babyface (keyboards, bass, drum programming, background vocals); Nathan East (bass); Randy Walker (Midi programmer); Jagged Edge, Trey Lorenz, Trina Broussard, Shanice Wilson (background vocals).
Producers: Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Jermaine Dupri, Sprauge "Doogie" Williams.
Engineers include: Phi Tan, Rob Williams, Manny Marroquin.
Recorded at Somewhere In College Park, College Park, Georgia; Sony Studios, New York, New York; Brandon's Way Recording, Los Angeles, Califonia; Future Recording Studios, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
"You Make Me Wanna" was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
"My Way" was nominated for the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
Personnel: Usher, Monica, Lil' Kim (vocals); Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal (various instruments, background vocals); Greg Phillinganes (piano); Babyface (keyboards, bass, programming, background vocals); Nathan East (bass); Randy Walker (programming); Jagged Edge, Trey Lorenz, Trina Broussard, Shanice Wilson (background vocals).
Producers: Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Jermaine Dupri, Sprague "Doogie" Williams.
Engineers include: Phil Tan, Rob Williams, Manny Marroquin.
Recorded at Somewhere In College Park, College Park, Georgia; Sony Studios, New York, New York; Brandon's Way Recording, Los Angeles, Califonia; Future Recording Studios, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
"You Make Me Wanna" was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
Personnel: Usher (vocals, background vocals); Lil' Kim (vocals); Greg Phillinganes (piano); Babyface (keyboards, keyboard programming, drum programming, background vocals); Jagged Edge, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal, Jr., Monica, Shanice, Trey Lorenz, Trina Broussard (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Jermaine Dupri; Jon Gass; Phil Tan.
Recording information: Brandon's Way Recording, L.A., CA; College Park, MD; Future Recording Studios, Virginia Beach, VA.
Photographers: Michael Benabib; Butch BelAir.
Usher proved that he had a strong, soulful voice with his self-titled debut, but he fulfilled his potential on his second record, My Way. What makes Usher distinctive from his urban loverman peers is the fact that he doesn't oversing; he simply delivers his songs soulfully. Unfortunately, he falls prey to uneven material, just like any of his peers, but there are more strong songs on My Way than many contemporary R&B albums from the late '80s. Both Jermaine Dupri and Babyface contribute seamless productions and fine songs; respectively, "You Make Me Wanna..." and "Bedtime" are their best ballad contributions. Even if the ballads are usually seductive and romantic, cuts like the funky "Just Like Me," which features a cameo from Lil' Kim, might make you wish Usher didn't play it cool all of the time. And while it's refreshing to hear a hip-hop/urban R&B album clock in at a reasonable running time, it would have been nice if the tenth track was something other than a remix of "You Make Me Wanna..." Nevertheless, it's a strong second effort that showcases Usher at his best. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Three years after his debut album, 18 year-old Usher returns with a newly mature, seductively smooth voice, and a palpable sense of self confidence. What remains so appealing about Usher's soulful crooning and sexy whisper, however, is a youthful freshness and vibrancy. This unpretentious approach is felt throughout the album in the simple, clean production, especially on songs like the Babyface-produced ballad "Bedtime," which has lovely background vocals by Shanice Wilson. Funkier, more up-tempo songs include the title track, an R&B-tinged song endearingly lacking the slightest hint of humility: "from this day forth you know I'm all about heat/And what I do be the major league/That's why your girlfriendQ (8/02, p.148) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Cemented the Georgian gospel singer's reputation as the precocious master of R&B slow jams..."
Vibe (10/97, p.170) - "...Usher conveys a luscious sensuality....succeeds with MY WAY by accenting the mystery of sex....[He] leaves a little something to his listeners' imaginations..."
The Source (11/97, p.174) - "...Usher proves that he's aiming to become more than just R&B music's best kept secret..."