USHER DROPS SOME FUNK ON YOUR DESK

RCA's Usher is usually spotted on giant stages, so it's a rare thing for him to offer so intimate a glimpse of his musical formula as this six-song NPR Tiny Desk Concert. But the Ron Laffitte-managed superstar's abundant charisma and silky vocals come across just as powerfully in this humble setting. In this set, assembled for Black Music Month, he's aided considerably by the musical might of his band, which includes guitarist Erick Walls, bassist Dmitry Gorodetsky, drummer Ryan Carr, keyboardist Darek Cobbs and a hot horn section consisting of Lemar Guillary, Brandyn Phillips and Jay Flat. Eric Bellinger and Vedo assist on vocals.

We think it's just the thing to get you in the groove for a holiday weekend.