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
or
Nation
, has many strong points. As before,
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,
is a welcome addition to her catalog. ~ Alex Henderson