Usher: OMG Tour—Live from London

R&B star Usher Raymond IV plays mostly to the ladies in this 2011 concert from London's O2 Arena, part of a tour in support of Raymond v. Raymond. After an instrumental fanfare, Usher enters the stage on a riser lowered from the ceiling; like his male dancers, the singer sports the Mad Max–type outfits Michael Jackson used to favor (black, studded-leather motorcycle get-ups). By the second song, “She Don't Know,” the sweat's flowing, which isn't surprising, given his forceful, acrobatic dancing, and by the fifth, “U Don't Have to Call,” he takes off his shirt, revealing his well-toned physique. While the men echo Usher's moves, the female hoofers provide a more overtly sexual counterpoint, often acting out skits with him during numbers, which alternate between slow and fast. Although Usher doesn't boast the most original vocal style, his vibrato-laden singing on this solid 19-song set is strong, coming across like a new-school combination of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Presented in DTS-5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, and LPCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include a featurette on the tour. Recommended. (K. Fennessy)