Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee Raymond Usher began singing in the church choir when he was nine years old. This innocent start marked the beginning of what is becoming a legendary career for this R&B heartthrob. By age 14 he had inked a record deal and put out his self titled debut album, produced by Sean "P.Diddy" Combs. On tour with P.Diddy, Usher's album went gold and he rapidly became a familiar face to teens everywhere.

Usher soon followed up with the multi-platinum 1997 release "My Way" which included the number one chart topping "You make me wanna" and "Nice and slow", which stayed at number one for four straight weeks. At 23 he has received two Grammy nominations, three Billboard Awards, a Soul Train award, two ASCAP awards and one Blockbuster music award.

In addition to his career in music, Usher broke into the movie business by chance. First appearing in Moesha, he later earned a starring role on the daytime soap "The Bold and the Beautiful" which brought him into living rooms worldwide. In 1998 he starred in "The faculty" and appeared in the film "She's all that", as well as finding time that year to tour with Mary J Blige and Janet Jackson. In 1999 he released "Usher live" which also went gold and starred in "Light it up", and the Disney TV movie, "Geppetto" alongside Drew Carey.

Usher has unquestionably established his skills in the entertainment world as a singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, and actor. His latest effort, 8701 marks a period of growth in his career. This album reflects on his life from the beginning of his career in 1987 until now, in 2001, thus the title 8701. The album is a fusion of club ready hip hop and edgy R&B.

The first single cut from this album is "U Remind Me", produced by up and coming Philly producer Eddie Clement. With its infectious beat and soulful lyrics it began climbing the charts immediately. A tale of déjà vu love ("See this girl kind of looks like you/ Even smiles just the way you do"), it glistens with a sensuality few could resist. The following single "U Got it Bad", written by Usher, Dupri, and Brian Cox, is the albums star ballad.

It's a song that speaks to many on a common note, falling in love is something most of us have experienced. "U don't have to call" is one of two tracks off the album produced by The Neptunes (Mystikal, Jay-Z). Working with such a combination of hit makers (Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, The Neptunes, Jermaine Dupri, She'kespere, Babyface, Eddie Clement, and Mike City) Usher has delivered a record that has songs many will relate to. For example, "Can you help me" features an exceptionally strong vocal performance, and it's a dramatization of what an entertainer goes thorough, when career gets in the way of having a relationship.

The track "How do I say" is an interesting melody with haunting Spanish guitar, a story about meeting a girl, an exotic beauty who doesn't speak English, and teaching her the "language of love". Despite it's cliché sweetness it does showcase a unique guitar and simple rhythm.

"Twork it out" I found utterly revolting. "Twork it Out" is a slang phrase known only in Atlanta's ghetto, which makes me wonder why it would be relevant to any one else in the world. It gets worse after the title, here's a sample of some of the "stunning" lyrics (" It's way to treal/ The way you're making me feel/The way your Tworkin is so sexy/U sure love to ball.") Okay, I may be wrong and this could end up being the BEST thing to have in your stereo on a hot date, and it will most likely fare well with the club/DJ crowd, but its hard to take him seriously with lyrics like "U make me wanna cha, cha, cha, ah, cha, cha - Know what I'm saying, Na, na, na, na Na."

The track "I cant let you go" is reportedly an experiment, meant to mimic the feel of an 80's rock record without sounding dated. I didn't hear anything that sounded even close to 80's rock, but maybe I was still reeling over the Twork song. Then there is "If I want to" which is a self loving anthem sporting the "I get what I want - When I want -Always" anthem. It's a song too full of conceit and testosterone for me to get past the first few verses.

When asked how he feels about this latest release Usher says "This record allowed me to go deeper into myself. As a writer, I was able to get in touch with what I wanted to talk about and to create music that reflects my understanding of R&B". I think he accomplished this goal, but I am anxious to see what else he can do with his songwriting in the future. In my opinion he's stuck between the rap/R&B stereotypes and is trying to incorporate the two to the extent that the mixture is danceable, but not memorable. The songs off the album that are an exception to this theory are "U Remind Me" and "U got it Bad" where Usher is showcasing his strongest talent, his singing. Not rapping, balling, or trying to be a "playah" but singing from his heart.

I realize this is a testosterone driven business, but I think he is destined for true stardom when he matures enough to do what he truly owns, and that is the soulful ballads that show his excellent range and breathy vocal skills. Having said this I would still have to credit him as being one of the hardest working men in show business and I would advise keeping eyes on him, his potential for future greatness has yet to be realized.