My Way

by Usher

Overview

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

Product Details

Release Date:	09/29/2023
Label:	Sony Music
UPC:	0196587371319

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Usher   Primary Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
JD   Primary Artist
Manuel Seal, Jr.   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background)
Shanice   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Greg Phillinganes   Guest Artist,Piano
Jagged Edge   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Babyface   Guest Artist,Bass,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Trina Broussard   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Monica   Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Trey Lorenz   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Lil' Kim   Guest Artist,Vocals
Shanice Wilson   Vocals (Background)
Nathan East   Bass
Jermaine Dupri   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Chris Stainton   Composer
Joe Cocker   Composer
John Hayes   Engineer
Ernie Isley   Composer
John Hanes   Mixing,Engineer
Jon Gass   Mixing,Mixing Engineer
S. Blair   Composer
Lil' Kim   Composer
Kyle Bess   Mixing Assistant,Assistant
Herb Powers   Mastering
Chauncey Hannibal   Composer
Brian Caey   Composer
E. Williams   Composer
Sid Johnson   Composer
D.L. Warfield   Art Direction
LaKimbra Sneed   Design
Belinda Lipscomb   Composer
Butch BelAir   Photography
Ivy Scoff   Production Coordination
Brian Frye   Mixing Assistant
Michael Benabib   Photography
Sprague Williams   Producer
Randy Walker   MIDI Programming
Boaz Watson   Composer
Serban Ghenea   Engineer
T. Riley   Composer
Paul Boutin   Engineer
Teddy Riley   Composer
John Frye   Mixing Assistant
Brian Casey   Composer
Manny Marroquin   Engineer
George Meyers   Engineer
Manuel Seal, Jr.   Composer,Producer,Performer,Instrumentation
The Isley Brothers   Composer
Sidney Johnson   Composer
Bo Watson   Composer
Babyface   Composer,Producer,Drum Programming,Executive Producer,Keyboard Programming
Ronald Isley   Composer
Jermaine Dupri   Mixing,Composer,Producer,Instrumentation,Mixing Engineer,Executive Producer
Rudolph Isley   Composer
Marvin Isley   Composer
O'Kelly Isley   Composer
Monica   Performer
Chris Jasper   Composer
Rob Williams   Engineer
Usher Raymond IV   Composer
Phil Tan   Mixing,Engineer,Mixing Engineer
C. Hannibal   Composer
Ivy Skoff   Production Coordination
Kimberly Jones   Composer
L.A. Reid   Executive Producer