Control - "Nasty"
This song launched Jackson into the mainstream, prompting millions of girls to echo the stern warning, "No, my first name ain't ‘baby,' it's Janet! Ms. Jackson if you nasty!" A taste of what was to come, "Nasty," a modern classic, made Janet accessible to a wider fan base with its harder-edged R&B sound.
Rhythm Nation 1814 - "Miss You Much"
One of the best times in Janet's career, this album saw Janet reflecting on the social injustices of the era. It is by far her most socially conscious album, but one of the best cuts is this ode to separated love. It's a funky dance track with a great video. She'll "send it in a letter, baby, tell you on the phone," ‘cause she "miss you much"!
Janet - "If"
In the early nineties, Janet had would some would call a change in image, others just sat scratching their heads wondering where this self-empowered seductress came from. Janet didn't care, she was out to be herself, and she was really a bit of a nympho. One listen to this startlingly explicit track and the change is apparent. Mixing rock, hip-hop, R&B, pop, and dance, this is one of Janet's finest tracks to date. One thing is for sure, she isn't your girl... But if she was...
HIStory - "Scream"
Before continuing to her next album, the still hyper-empowered Jackson cut this track with her brother, who you may've heard of in passing... Trading verses of angst, Janet and Michael go on a tirade about life, seeing the King of Pop even drop an f-bomb! Thankfully, he lightened up, but even so, this is one solid track.
The Velvet Rope - "You"
Summing up the dark yet hopeful feel of this album, Janet presents an open letter of sorts to an unknown recipient whom most speculate to be Michael. "You" finds Janet contemplating action and its consequence, ultimately concluding that sometimes "you can't blame nobody but you." On The Velvet Rope, with its more varied sound and deep lyrical content, Janet allows us a window into her depression and hope. Possibly Janet's best album to date.
All for You - "You Ain't Right"
While I may've taken the obvious route and chosen the title song, it seemed better to dig up this painfully overlooked cut. A club banger sure to get the crowd on their feet, Jackson's back to her empowered self and taking names. With a lighter view on life, All for You provides the ultimate summer soundtrack. "You Ain't Right" is only a taste of what this superior pop album has to offer.
Justified - "And She Said (Take Me Now)"
Before recording her next album, Janet joined Justin for this funky slice of R&B. The track finds them trading suggestive verses leading to a quite direct chorus, in keeping with Janet's theme but a bit of a departure for clean-cut boy-bander Timberlake. Stick around for the song's Timbaland-infused outro. This track leaves one wishing the two would collaborate more often, just maybe not onstage... And for those of you who haven't picked up a copy of Justin's excellent first solo album, do so.
Damita Jo - "All Night (Don't Stop)"
Experimenting with a more rhythmic sound, "All Night" is one of the best tracks on this somewhat disappointing effort, with the notable exception of "R&B Junkie." Not terrible, but pornographic songs like "Moist" and "Warmth" leave much to be desired.
20 Y.O. - "So Excited"
Move over Ciara, Ms. Jackson's back! Well, not exactly. Audiences didn't warm up to the album as they should've, considering they were still prudishly bitter from the SuperBowl incident and dirty Damita Jo. But 20 Y.O. was actually a pretty solid album, with "So Excited" being only one example of its modern dance-R&B offerings. Just watch out for the yawners like "Enjoy."
Discipline - "So Much Betta"
Now she's back, and people (thankfully) aren't so bitter. While missing the deeper side of nineties Janet, it's safe to say Janet is now on her A-game. Returning to the club-ready tracks that are her comfort-zone, Discipline was made for the dance floor. This is an album worth owning.
