I’m not an avid fan but years of listening to her songs kept me interested in her work.
Since her “Rhythm Nation” and “Black Cat” renditions to her very provocative and sexy “Janet” album which contained the single “That’s the Way Love Goes” (which featured J Lo in the video) to the very stylish “Velvet Rope” album, Janet Jackson has constantly redefined the word “cool and sexy.”
Enter her latest album “Discipline,” her coolest 12-track collection of identifiable surefire hits.
In the album, tracks preceded with conversations of sorts segue to either slow beats or danceable tracks, a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The kind experienced as the “Feedback” dance track segues to the smooth flowing “Luv” and whirls its intensity to a gyrating “Rollercoaster” experience, the third track in the album.
“2nite” stamps a lusty hallmark on the dancefloor as Janet cries “Something in the air has got me feelin’ like I want it tonight”. Three dance tracks segue to three slow tracks - “Can’t be good”, “Never Letchu go” and “Greatest X.”
What surprises me is a cut containing a sampling of Daft Punk’s “Daftendirect” in “So much Betta.” It prompted me to check my old D.P. collection which I finally found in their “Homework” album.
The last dance track features Missy Elliot affirming “That’ll do.” Two songs complete the musical journey - “Discipline” and “Curtains”, the latter obviously cooling down listeners with what has to be a very grand tour inside Miss Janet’s highly ecstatic cove.
Way to go, Miss Janet.