20 Pt. 4 (Interlude) - Janet Jackson, Harris, James III
Take Care - Janet Jackson, Harris, James III
Love 2 Love
20 Pt. 5 (Outro) - Janet Jackson, Harris, James III
Janet Jackson opens her much-hyped, post-wardrobe-malfunction return to the studio with the following proclamation: "I've covered a lot in my 20 years, and I've uncovered a lot in my 20 years." There's a pause, then a gigg... more »le. And then comes an honest breakdown of this disc's DNA: "I want to have fun," chimes Janet (or J., or Miss Jackson if you're nasty and can remember that far back). Fun, then, is what we get. With a light heart, a light vocal touch, and no shortage of quips and unstaged-sounding between-song cut-ups, Janet and her Jermaine Dupri-helmed posse pull together a Sunday afternoon picnic of a disc: "Enjoy," among 20 Y.O.'s standouts, hauls in a kids' choir to reinforce the keep-it-simple, spirits-skyward vibe; "So Excited" reaches back to Herbie Hancock's "Rockit" for a subtle retro reference point; "Show Me" and "Do It 2 Me" buzz along to infectious midtempo sound melanges; and "This Body" is a heavy breather reminiscent of Damita Jo's likable smut. Nelly puts in a house call for "Call on Me," another easy-beezy standout and 20 Y.O.'s nod to name-dropping, but overall it's easiest to praise this fresh and frolicsome disc for what it does without--in a break from current pop customs, nothing's twitchy or trying too hard. -- Tammy La Gorce More from Janet
Janet Jackson opens her much-hyped, post-wardrobe-malfunction return to the studio with the following proclamation: "I've covered a lot in my 20 years, and I've uncovered a lot in my 20 years." There's a pause, then a giggle. And then comes an honest breakdown of this disc's DNA: "I want to have fun," chimes Janet (or J., or Miss Jackson if you're nasty and can remember that far back). Fun, then, is what we get. With a light heart, a light vocal touch, and no shortage of quips and unstaged-sounding between-song cut-ups, Janet and her Jermaine Dupri-helmed posse pull together a Sunday afternoon picnic of a disc: "Enjoy," among 20 Y.O.'s standouts, hauls in a kids' choir to reinforce the keep-it-simple, spirits-skyward vibe; "So Excited" reaches back to Herbie Hancock's "Rockit" for a subtle retro reference point; "Show Me" and "Do It 2 Me" buzz along to infectious midtempo sound melanges; and "This Body" is a heavy breather reminiscent of Damita Jo's likable smut. Nelly puts in a house call for "Call on Me," another easy-beezy standout and 20 Y.O.'s nod to name-dropping, but overall it's easiest to praise this fresh and frolicsome disc for what it does without--in a break from current pop customs, nothing's twitchy or trying too hard. -- Tammy La Gorce More from Janet
The Velvet Rope
janet
All for You
CD Reviews
The Paradox of Janet
Neptunian Spirit | Dayton, OH USA | 09/26/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For most, "20 Y.O." cuts to the chase of what she has been doing for the past few years, refining her frothy hybrid of R&B/Pop on each LP. On records such as 2001's "All For You" & 2004's "Damita Jo" Janet simply seemed to be ironing out the same formula, yet there it was only implied. As if all those records were truly leading to the 20th year marker for her 1986 (junior) LP "Control". Here, she states in title, song, that this is a dedication to the period that put her on the map.
One could gripe & argue that Janet has been repeating herself, but to make it simple, what is the point? No one in music today commands such a wide berth of fans with her trademark sound. On that merit, "20 Y.O." not only succeeds, it soars.
The record opens with an intro that blurs (for those sharp Janet heads) melodies from "What Have You Done For Me Lately?", "Miss You Much",& oddly enough "China Love". This segues into the "dance area" of the LP lining up three solid dance cuts that recall the rhythmic funk of her vintage days. "So Excited" is a gritty dance number (think "Nasty" now) utilizing the Herbie Hancock "Rockit" sample well, & "Get It Out Me" & "Show Me" both feel as if they were handpicked from 1986.
Other highlights include "Do It 2 Me" which utilizes a Brenda Russel sample to a hauntingly erotic effect. Songs such as these show how Jam, Lewis, & Jackson go unparrelled in their use of samples. How they take a sample & make it their own. It will have new folks wondering where these sounds have come from, whilst older fans will be digging through their respective vinyl stacks & CD racks to find the originator of the sample.
"Enjoy" lives up to the fan hype & is a breezy,life affirming, melodic number, "With U" is a beautiful ballad & represents why Janet's ballads have become very well received. Her voice is strong & comes across soulful on this number. The strings here are also a nice touch. Even the slow burn first single "Call On Me" comes to life here, sounding tart & sweet in the context of the record.
Basically, if you enjoy what Janet does, flawlessly mixing pop & R&B on a level no one has yet to repeat, then this is for you. There will be those that won't like this, but you can't please everyone. Janet seems to have found her niche, maybe that is her innovation, coasting flawlessly unlike many others who flounder at this point their careers.
The bonus edition is definitely worth the tag. I own this copy. It comes in a gold glazed box, including a miniture, glazed 48-page,booklet with color photos & lyrics. Also, the album & DVD (which details the "20 Y.O." project in detail) come in a glazed slip case. Very beautiful & for collectors.
Highly recommended!"
Because You Only Turn 20...Twice!
Ecneicsnoc | 09/26/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"20 Y.O. is the 9th studio album from Janet Jackson. This record is a 20 year celebration of Jackson's hit "Control" album, where she took the reigns from her father and teamed up with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. 20 Y.O.'s first single, "Call On Me" with St.Louis rapper Nelly is a mid-tempo #1 R&B/Hip-hop hit that duets the two in a love match and also samples the SOS band's "Tell me if you Still Care". This song brought Janet back in the music scene and to the top of the charts. The second single, "So Excited" features southern female rapper Khia and samples Herbie Hancock's "Rock It". This song is a classic Janet-style dance track meant for the clubs and "If"/"All Nite (Don't Stop)" fans. Another track, "Enoy" is classic Janet and similar to her #1 hit "Escapade", a very happy and upbeat song that is sure to be a fan-favorite. "Show Me" is a dance song about the girl (Janet) waiting for the guy to make a move instead of talking about it. "Love 2 Love" is one of what fan's call 'baby-making' songs, it show's Janet's sexual side and the intimacy she shares with her man in the bedroom. "This Body" is a pop-rock song about what it's titled! Janet showin' off her sexy body singing, this track brings back the pop-rock Janet sound fans love! "Take Care" is a slow song about waiting for your significant other all alone, this comes before the sexual encounter as in "Love 2 Love". "With U" is car knocker as described by JD, an urban felt jam that sets in an R&B/soul vibe, a great choice for a forthcoming single. "Get it Out Me" showcases what Janet does best, dance! This song is my favorite on the album and has a great hook, beat and dance break! Great future single choice! "Do it 2 Me" is a fan favorite and a 'bounce' track. The song is similar to "Like You Don't Love Me" in that she wants her man to do the work. "Daybreak" is a light melodic pop song that makes you feel good inside, it themes around staying up all night and exploring the city and taking it back to the innocent days of having to sneak back into bed before, daybreak. Overall this cd is very solid and still keeps true to Janet and what fans have grown to love about her! This record is truly a celebration of 20 years worth of hits and musical history, this cd celebrates the past and easily rides into the future of where music should be going."
Phenomenal, creative, retrospective, and fresh! Janet has r
Brazilian Jazzaholic! | CALIFORNIA | 09/27/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I cannot think of a more fitting homage to Janet's 20 iconic years in the music business, than her new album, "20 Y.O." 20 Y.O. gives us glimpses back to the music that inspired Janet when she was recording her 1st hit LP, "Control," 20 years ago, but the album also has a contemporary, fresh feel that is sure to please both "veteran" Janet fans and younger audiences. While 20 Y.O. is, in many respects, ground-breaking in its creativity, the album is also interspersed with moments of "Classic Janet," such as on tracks like the luscious "Enjoy," and "Daybreak," a bright, cheery confection of a song that always brings a smile to your face.
Janet is known for the variety of musical genres on her albums, and 20 Y.O. certainly does not disappoint this regard. The album gives us everything from bass-heavy dance tracks like "So Excited" and "Get It Out Me;" to the rock-tinged "This Body;" electro-funk bangers like "Show Me;" and, of course, sweet mid-tempo jams like "With You," a smooth treat for the ears that plays like a follow-up to "Let's Wait a While." Janet also takes it back to her R&B roots with the sumptuous, sexy, slow-grinder, "Love 2 Love," and the infectious "Do It 2 Me," which makes ingenious use of a sample from Brenda Russell's "If Only for One Night," over Jermaine Dupri's signature lean-with-it-rock-with it bounce.
And, of course, no Janet album would be complete without one or two of her classic "baby-making" songs. In this respect, Janet delivers wonderfully with 2 tracks that are more sexually-suggestive than explicit: the sensual "Take Care" (a classic Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis slow jam reminiscent of "Come Back to Me" and "Any Time, Any Place"), and "Love 2 Love."
Janet, JD, Jimmy and Terry have done an amazing job putting together an album that is equal parts retrospective and modern; as well as inventive and fun. "20 Y.O" will easily become the must-have album of 2006.
REVIEW OF THE SPECIAL EDITION "EXTRAS":
The 30-minute DVD is a nice addition to the Special Edition of "20 Y.O." If you are interested in what goes on behind-the-scenes, the DVD will be a real treat. I especially loved the parts where they showed Janet, Jermaine Dupri and the Legendary Jimmy Jam working in the studio, and the dancer auditions.
The 48-page booklet is a must-have for any Janet fan, memorabilia collector, or anyone who appreciates top-class photography. There are some gorgeous high-quality pictures of Janet taken by photography guru James White, along with the lyrics and credits.
Both the DVD and booklet are well worth the extra cash."
Limited Edition verison of Janet Jackson's "20 Y.O."
Patrick Thomas | Grass Valley,Ca USA | 01/15/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have'nt bought a Janet Jackson cd since "All for You".I love her newest one "20 Y.O.".It's very enjoyable to listen to.The DVD is a pleasure to watch too.Wish it was a little more longer and had her video of "Call on me" with Nelly on it.If you love a real good limited edition(The packaging is preety cool) and love great music to listen to("Daybreak","Enjoy","Show me" and of course "Call on me" with Nelly).Pick it up while you can before it gone."
At the moment, Janet wins the DIVA WARS
Reginald D. Garrard | Camilla, GA USA | 09/30/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Because she follows the super-successful "Emancipation of Mimi" by Mariah Carey and the Beyonce's current bestselling "B'Day," Jackson, still reeling from the Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction", has to prove that she has staying power. Well, the singer has nothing to worry about. "20 Y.O.", though not as hit heavy as "Control" or "The Velvet Rope", brings the singer back into the front of the pop music stage.
Unlike the bloated excesses of "Damita Jo" (over 70 minutes) and "All for You" (over 65 minutes), "20 Y.O." is less than fifty minutes of tightly connected music that captures enough of the contemporary hip-hop sound and "traditional" melodies to satisfy both the young and the old. Longtime collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis allow Jackson's new musical ally (and main squeeze) Jermaine Dupri sufficient latitude to provide Miss Jackson with beats that immediately makes one want to dance. Jackson co-wrote most of the lyrics and they tend to be a bit repetitious; however, as a whole, the album is a better listening experience than the aforementioned offerings from Beyonce and Mariah.
At the start of the CD, the singer announces that she has tackled various issues in the past and wants to do something a little different. Some might think that she's traveling the same sexually-charged themes of all her albums since "Velvet Rope" but I beg to differ. While almost all of the tunes on the sixteen track set have sexual overtures, they are presented by a woman that, more than in "Control", is confident in her music, her life, her sexuality, and her career.
Highlighted cuts include "So Excited," "This Body," "Call on Me," "Do It to Me," "Enjoy," and "Take Care".
The DVD showcases the making of "20 Y.O" with background on the album's photo shoot, the laying of tracks in the studio, a revealing look at the dancer try-outs, and a brief look at the making of the "Call on Me" video with Nelly.
An enclosed booklet has all the lyrics plus breathtaking photos of the singer, including some from the twenty years since the release of "Control."
Observation: When one looks at the new pictures of Janet, there is no denying that she is Katherine's daughter. The older she gets, the more Janet resembles her mother.
But, the body is truly Janet's and, at 40, she puts any other, younger or older, to shame."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1