8701 (+ Bonus Avcd)

構成数 : 2枚
合計収録時間 : 01:50:25
This is an Enhanced CD which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Personnel includes: Usher, P. Diddy, Kelis (vocals); Jermaine Dupri (vocals, various instruments); Soulshock (various instruments, turntables); Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, Jimmy Jam, Terry Louis, Babyface, Bryan-Michael Cox, Karlin (various instruments); Dave Barry (acoustic guitar); William "Billy" Odum, Juan "Johnny" Najera, LaMarquis Jefferson (guitar); Valdez Brantley (keyboards, programming); Arthur Strong, James "Big Jim" Wright (keyboards); Stokley (drums); Alex Richbourg (programming); Sheree Ford-Payne, Bria Fuentes, Raymond Ford, Tajuanna Ford (background vocals). Producers include: Edmund "Eddie Hustle" Clement, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, The Neptunes, Jermaine Dupri. Engineers include: John Frye, Mark Rains, Bryan Garten. "U Remind Me" won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. "U Don't Have To Call" won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Asian exclusive release features a bonus CD with three videos ("U Got It Bad", "U-Turn", and "U Remind Me") plus seven bonus audio tracks. Personnel: Usher (vocals, background vocals); Jermaine Dupri (vocals); David Barry (guitar, acoustic guitar); LaMarquis Jefferson (guitar); Peter Ostroushko (mandolin); James "Big Jim" Wright (piano, keyboards); Valdez Brantley (keyboards, programming); Bill Unrau (keyboards); Alexander Richbourg (drums, drum programming); Stokley Williams (drums); Soulshock (scratches). Audio Mixers: Manny Marroquin; Phil Tan; Soulshock ; Steve Baughman; Steve Hodge . Audio Remixers: Dealer; Soulshock ; Todd Terry. Recording information: Brandon's Way Studio, LA, CA; Flyte Tyme studios, Edina, MN; Hitland Studio, Atlanta, GA; Larrabee North Studios; Record Plant, LA, CA; SouthSide Studios, Atlanta, GA; Stankonia Recording Studios; The Hit Factory, New York, NY; Tree Sound Studios, Norcross, GA; Triangle Sound Studio, Atlanta, GA. Unknown Contributor Role: Chocolate. Arrangers: Daron Jones; Jimmy Jam; Soulshock ; Terry Lewis. Usher has the reputation as a loverman, largely because he fits the bill so well. He looks good, his material is smooth and seductive, and he has a nice voice, even if he tends to favor melisma. This has been true throughout his career, and remains true on his third album, 8701, a classy, seductive affair masterminded by Usher, Jermaine Dupri, and Antonio "L.A." Reid. There's not much new here, but Usher does move further in both directions -- the ballads are lusher, the dance numbers hit a bit harder -- but not so much so that it's really noticeable. Overall, the record is probably his strongest yet, but he still suffers from a lack of really memorable material (the singles usually are pretty good, but the album tracks are filler) and a tendency to oversing. Because of these two things, 8701 is more mood music than anything else, and while it does work fairly well on that level, it's not memorable outside of that mood. [The Australian version adds "Pop Ya Collar," "T.T.P.," "Seperated," a second disc of remixes and B-sides, and the videos for "U Remind Me," "U Got It Bad," and "U-Turn."] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
録音 : ステレオ (Studio)