JANET JACKSON - JANET. (LIMITED EDITION)

This is a different pic for an album cover.  And that's because my version of the "Janet." album is the limited edition double disc hardcover book.  I bought this at Blockbuster when they sold music in addition to movies.  In some ways, this was the album I jumped off the Janet Jackson bandwagon.  The music was such a departure from her previous work and I didn't enjoy it as much as I did her earlier stuff.  Which is sad because years later, it really is a great record.

My biggest complaint with Janet Jackson records are the interludes.  They're often more confusing and ruin the narrative of the material.  But they're used to bridge songs and try to pull the whole album together.  I just don't think they end up doing that.  Sometimes they're fun to hear.  For the most part, I find them distracting.

This record starts with an interlude.  This one is called, 'Morning'.  It's actually fairly sweet all things considered and it flows rather nicely into the first actual song, 'That's The Way Love Goes'.  For a slow jam, this song packs a punch.  It's a beautiful ballad and Janet sings it in a sexy, seductive style.  This song was released in advance of the actual album and based on this track, I was expecting something more similar to her previous work.  Imagine my surprise.  Next up, another interlude.  'You Know...' is basically a doorbell, knocking and background conversation.  'You Want This' includes music from Diana Ross And The Supremes and Kool & The Gang.  The respective songs are 'Love Child' and 'Jungle Boogie'.  They're very obvious throughout the track.  Even with the song relying on musical ideas from these other two songs, the tune is pretty strong on its own.  I quite like it.  I believe this number was also released as a single, but I'm not entirely sure.  It's followed by another interlude called, 'Be A Good Boy...' which segues into probably the strongest and also biggest departure from Janet's signature sound, 'If'.  This song recalls the heavy beats featured on "Rhythm Nation", but it's also got an industrial sound built around guitar distortion.  The video to this song was probably the most overtly sexual of Jackson's career to this point.  It delved into some tame erotica themes like voyeurism and domination.  Shocking to say the least.

After yet another interlude, we get 'This Time'.  Featuring vocalizing from soprano Kathleen Battle, it's a song I slept on originally.  I didn't care for it back then, but in the interim, I've developed quite a liking for it.  Granted, it's a fairly basic, consistent tune with not a lot of variation.  It's a steady beat throughout with most of the inflection happening in the vocal arrangement.  Still, it's compelling and Battle's vocals enhance the feeling in a unique way.  About 4 and a half minutes in, the song shifts into an orchestral breakdown with Battle's vocals louder and more prominent in the mix.  This is where the song really shines and shows it strength.  It lasts about 2.5 minutes and finishes the track out on a high note. 

Interlude.

This is one of my favorite tracks and probably one of Janet's naughtiest.  'Throb' is a moaning, techno club pumping grind fest.  This is one you could play loud over and over.  It's a simple tune and yet, I love it!!!!  Believe it or not, the next track comes up without an interlude.  'What'll I Do' starts out with a guitar intro and although it's not aggressively rocking, it's a groovy tune.  I dig this one too.

Interlude.

'Funky Big Band' is next up and this is another one I really like.  Back when I first bought the album, I wasn't ever sure about this one.  Sometimes I'd listen to it and think it was great, other times, I'd skip it.  All these years later, I've finally decided I like it.  A lot.

Interlude.

Like the previous number, 'New Agenda' is one I wasn't sure about.  I like the beat and the drum sounds, but I wasn't a huge fan of the Chuck D rap.  There's some strange transitions throughout as well.  I do like the number and it's held up over the years.  I think this is a track a newer artist should cover.  There's a lot of potential with this one.

Interlude.

'Because Of Love' is up next and this one is a medium tempo jam.  I didn't care for it much back then and even now, it's not rockin' my disc player, but It's ok.

Interlude.

'Again' is the second true ballad on the disc.  Played mostly on a keyboard, the song is sentimental and whimsical.  I heard once this song was written by Janet for the movie "Poetic Justice", but I don't know if that's true.  I think it was featured in the film, but not the soundtrack.  It's nice to see it here and although I'm not listening to this one on a regular basis, it's pretty good for what it is.

Interlude.

'Where Are You Now'.  Janet has a pattern.  She usually reserves the power ballads for the end of the album so it's not surprising to find this track here.  I was young when this song came out and I didn't think much of it.  Now, after having experienced love, it's poignant, reflective and so terribly sad.  So full of regret.  It breaks my heart.

Interlude.

'The Body That Loves You' is another delicate and sensual ballad.  I overlooked so much of her love ballads as a younger man because I'd never felt love.  Now...  Wow.

Interlude.

The final listed track is 'Any Time, Any Place'.  Another power love ballad.  I don't need to go over this again.  I slept on this whole side of the disc.  

Interlude.  Interlude.

There's a hidden track at the end of the album called 'Whoops Now' and it's a rather fun, pop expression thrown on almost as an after thought.  If you didn't know it was there, you'd miss it unless you let the album play out.  I remember I discovered one night when I was letting the disc play as I was falling asleep and when it came on, I was shocked.  It's got a great Motown feel to it.  Great horns in the background and a light breezy beat.  Sheer joy!

Now my copy of the album includes a second disc with 8 additional tracks mostly comprised of mixes and alternate versions.  'Again', 'If' and 'That's The Way Love Goes' are the three tracks featured here.  There is also one b-side, 'One More Chance' written by her brother Randy Jackson.  I love that song.  It's incredible.  There's a stripped down piano version of 'Again' and also a french version.  The mixes are unimpressive.  I'm not going to detail them.  The first track is a recording of Janet's live performance at the 1993 MTV Music Awards.

You know, I jumped off the bus because I felt like this album was too different for my taste and yet all these years later, I find the album more satisfying than a lot of stuff I'd heard at the time.  This is definitely a record that was ahead of its time.  I'm so happy I bought this version and I love having the packing and artwork included in the book.  My final words:  I CAN FINALLY RECOMMEND THIS AMAZING AND PROGRESSIVE RECORD.  IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD IT, YOU SHOULD.  WORTH THE TIME AND EFFORT.

JANET JACKSON - JANET.
DISC NO. 1
01. Morning
02. That's The Way Love Goes
03. You Know...
04. You Want This
05. Be A Good Boy...
06. If
07. Back
08. This Time
09. Go On Miss Janet
10. Throb
11. What'll I Do
12. The Lounge
13. Funky Big Band
14. Racism
15. New Agenda
16. Love Pt. 2
17. Because Of Love
18. Wind
19. Again
20. Another Lover
21. Where Are You Now
22. Hold On Baby
23. The Body That Loves You
24. Rain
25. Any Time, Any Place
26. Are You Still Up
27. Sweet Dreams
28. Whoops Now (Hidden Track)
DISC NO. 2
01. That's The Way Love Goes/If (Medley)
02. That's The Way Love Goes (We Aimsta Win Mix)
03. Again (French Version)
04. If (Brothers In Rhythm Swing Yo Pants Mix)
05. One More Chance
06. That's The Way Love Goes (CJ Mackintosh R&B Mix)
07. If (Todd Terry Janet's Jeep Mix)
08. Again (Piano/Vocal)