Track Listing

1. Intro-lude 8701
2. U Remind Me
3. I Don't Know (feat. P.Diddy)
4. Twork It Out
5. U Got It Bad
6. Pop Ya Collar
7. If I Want To
8. I Can't Let U Go
9. U Don't Have To Call
10. Without U
11. Can U Help Me
12. How Do I Say
13. Hottest Thing
14. Good Ol' Ghetto
15. U-Turn
16. T.T.P.
17. Separated

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6246 in Music
• Released on: 2001-07-30
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
Following on from 1997's My Way, 8701 crowns Usher's position as R&B man of the moment. Never mind the hype about Michael Jackson, Wacko is going to have some serious competition in years to come. Usher is a rap singer and dance man with a twist. Rather than being R&B record designed by committee, every track on 8701 pulsates with the sense of a life lived, a strongly personal point of view--from the street slang of "Pop Ya Collar", to the nostalgic groove "U-Turn" ("I had a hot flat top/...the sound was Bobby Brown"), to the song "If U Want To", where Usher sings: "I can take you from your man", with vulnerability rather than braggadocio. Though cowritten and produced with a variety of names, including She'kspere and The Neptunes, the solid hip-hop undertow comes courtesy of Jermaine Dupri. Mixing slow jams with edgy beats and sweet melody, Usher has pulled off a triumph. --Lucy O'Brien

CD Description
Usher's third studio album, originally titled 'All About U'and delayed since late 2000. Produced by Jam & Lewis, Jermaine Dupri, Babyface and the Neptunes, the record showcases more of Usher's smooth urban soul and features a guest appearance by Sean "P. Diddy" Combs. Includes the singles 'U Remind Me' and 'Pop Ya Collar'.

Customer Reviews

A brilliant R'n'B album
Usher's career kicked off in 1987 Atlanta and the wheel of fortune hasn't stopped turning for him since. With this, his third album, he has developed both as a singer and a songwriter from what we saw on My Way. The album nicely mixes slower ballads with songs that get you up and dancing as a more mature Mr Raymond shows he's quite possibly this generation's Michael Jackson. From the slower grooves of the loved-up 'U Got It Bad' and 'How Do I Say' to the pounding Neptunes and Shek'spere base lines on 'U Don't Have To Call' and 'TTP', from the instantly catchy 'U Remind Me' and 'U-Turn' to the genuinely heartfelt 'Can U Help Me' and 'Separated', by way of the uplifting 'Pop Ya Collar', Usher has produced a mature album that shows you can still have fun. Sure, there are touches of bravado about 'If I Want To' and 'Good Ol' Ghetto', but it's this slight overflowing of confidence that makes this an excellent album. The guest appearances by P Diddy, Pharell Williams and Kelis are also worthy of note. If this and the new single 'Yeah' are what we can expect from his new album 'Confessions', then bring it on!

Amazing... If you have nay doubts BUY IT!
This was the first r'n'b album I bought, and is the only modern r'n'b album in my collection. It was really an impulse buy - I enjoyed the catchiness of 'Pop Ya Collar' and 'U Remind Me'. I have never been more happy with a purchase!
Usher is the perfect singer - he can hold a note better than nearly every singer I've heard. He is the new 'King' of r'n'b, but he seems more like a Prince. Young, fresh, clever, exciting and handsome.
Usher has combined rap with his songs, featuring P Diddy and JD. JD has a nasal tone - think of Eminem, but with different subject matter. The three singles are all fantastic. 'U Remind Me' and 'Pop Ya Collar' are upbeat, party affairs, hook-laden with clever lyrical twists. Usher is a very good lyricist, though he takes on a lot of production and musical help. 'U Got It Bad' shows off his voice to its full - the slow version is also better than the single mix. Of the album tracks, my favourites, from the range of excellence, would be 'Twork It Out', 'Good Ol' Ghetto' and 'U-Turn'. 'Twork It Out' is Usher in his sexiest mood. It may seem crass, but the way the lyrics are written make it come together perfectly. 'Good Ol' Ghetto' is upbeat party song, for those summer days - 'Told my men I'm having a barbecue - So grab some folks - Let U slide right through'. He spells every 'you' as 'U' in the album, by the way. Finally 'U-Turn' is a perfect social commentary for America over the last twenty or so years. The chorus is Usher at his catchiest, and best. 'Seperated' is very cheesy, but I can still take it!
This album may not age great, as it is full of the sounds and production of the moment, but it is a perfect snapshot of what life is like. With clever lyrics, snappy rhythms, catchy songs and great singing, this is one you have to buy. An added bonus is the glossy album sleeve - Usher looking his best!

Fresh,Funky,Fantastic
Usher's latest release is a mixture of soulful R'n'B ballads and edgy hip-hop tunes. The songs pop ya collar and u remind me r quality pop/R'n'B singles.The pick of the ballads are all produced by R'n'B legends Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, how do i say, can u help me and separated.These songs r good but they are nowhere near as sultry or soulful as Nice and slow from Ushers first album My Way.The stand out track is I Don't Know which is produced by the Neptunes and features a rap from newly named P Diddy. Overall the album is better than My Way and the song Hottest thing is a perfect description of Usher and his album!!A definate must buy for Usher fans and R'n'B fans.It's fresh and funky!