A Tribute to Usher [Big Eye]

• Artist: Various Artists
• Release Date: January 14, 2003
• Type: Collection (various artists)
• Genre: Rhythm & Blues

Review

This tribute to Usher Raymond presents 12 of the urban contemporary artist's biggest hits, performed by Evander Everlast & the 7th Street Soul Choir, a somewhat mysterious collective that's sort of the house band for Big Eye Records' releases of this type. Usher himself does not appear. That said, the Usher stand-ins on well-known slow jams like "You Make Me Wanna" and "Can U Get Wit It" are close enough to the source material to retain most of Raymond's soulful vibe. 1997's "Nice and Slow" -- one of the best urban contemporary singles of the decade -- is treated particularly well by Everlast. Nevertheless, the market for tribute albums such as this is unclear. Sure, it's cheaper than the original and it includes the feted artist's best work -- but Usher's breakthrough album wasn't entitled My Way for nothing. ~ Johnny Loftus, Rovi

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