2xLP BLACK VINYL After Control and Rhythm Nation 1814, Janet Jackson had quite a lot to live up to. Anyone who expected Jackson to top Rhythm Nation -- her crowning achievement and an incredibly tough act to follow -- was being unrealistic. But with janet., she delivered a respectable offering that, although not as strong as either Control or Nation, has many strong points. As before, Jackson is joined by the prolific Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis team, and their input is valuable on everything from the angry "This Time" and the hypnotic "That's the Way Love Goes" to the '60s-flavored "What'll I Do" and the sociopolitical "The New Agenda" (which features Public Enemy leader Chuck D). But perhaps the CD's most exciting track is "Funky Big Band," which samples jazz legend Lionel Hampton's 1938 big-band classic "I'm in the Mood for Swing" with thrilling results. There are a few throwaways (including the lightweight ballad "Again"), but despite its shortcomings, janet. is a welcome addition to her catalog. A1 Morning A2 That's The Way Love Goes A3 You Know... A4 You Want This A5 Be A Good Boy... A6 If B1 Back B2 This TimeB3 Go On Miss Janet B4 Throb B5 What'll I DoB6 The Lounge B7 Funky Big Band C1 Racism C2 New AgendaC3 Love Pt. 2 C4 Because Of Love C5 Wind C6 Again C7 Another Lover C8 Where Are You Now D1 Hold On Baby D2 The Body That Loves You D3 Rain D4 Any Time, Any Place D5 Are You Still Up D6 Sweet Dreams/Whoops Now
