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Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2008 > February > 06 > Entry
“Classic Janet - With A Modern Twist”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
NEW YORK - By now, the miniature cherry-topped chocolate cakes, fresh fruits and cheeses have probably been devoured.
Now, the only treats left are still dancing in about 300 or so guests’ heads.
Island Def Jam Music Group Chairman Antonio “L.A.” Reid unveiled part-time Atlantan Janet Jackson’s upcoming CD “Discipline” tonight in New York. And if this one doesn’t win audiences back, they flat-out don’t want to return.
Reid had to know he had something special when he walked on the Stage 1 of New World Stages in Midtown. There was no long introduction. No hyperbolic speech spilling over with adjectives.
“Thank you all for coming,” he told a crowd of tastemakers who’d spent the past hour taking full advantage of the open bars, bite-sized grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers, beats from DJ Finesse and the bodies of the “Disciplinarians” walking around in black patent leather bustiers, black tights, thigh-high, high-heeled boots and whips. “Sit back and enjoy.”
And with that, a montage of Jackson’s two decades-plus of videos played, followed by most of “Discipline.”
It begins with “Feedback,” a fine enough return to the dancefloor for Jackson, that only gets better and stronger further into the disc. After the third track, the delightful drum-centric “Rollercoaster,” the first major applause spread across the room. After the slower, “Can’t Help It”-like “Can’t B Good” - even more applause. And then again after “The 1,” the one song played withe a featured artist, rapper-producer Missy Elliott.
Then the lights came up. The vintage-looking black and white montage stopped. And Reid walks Jackson on stage to a standing ovation. (Never mind that her boyfriend, Atlanta music mogul Jermaine Dupri, was standing nearby under an exit).
“Thank you very much you guys,” Jackson said in that signature whisper. Shortly after, Joe Levy of Blender asked her a few questions about the album- basic stuff like who she worked with (local notables such as Tricky Stewart and The Dream, Ne-Yo and, of course Dupri); where she got the song title “Rock With U” (“some guy that thinks he can dance and sing…my brother”); how she would describe “Discipline” (“classic Janet with a modern twist”); and two recurring themes of her more recent albums - love and sex (“I love love and I love sex”).
The last response, of course, eliciting wild applause as well.
Afterwards, comedian/actor Mike Epps offered his critique of what he heard of “Discipline” - in between bites of dessert: “I’d rate it great! Janet has some Charley WallBANGERS on this one.”
CLICK HERE to hear two new songs.
What do you think?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Daz
February 7, 2008 3:50 AM | Link to this
(http://www.janet-love.com) JANET LOVE
By Daz
February 7, 2008 3:51 AM | Link to this
JANET LOVE
By Traci W
February 7, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
I heard it —- it’s HOT.
If “Feedback” can’t get you movin’, then you must be dead!
Classic Janet - get on the “dance floor”!!!
By lwyrgrl
February 7, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Very Nice! I plan to download her album it as soon as it’s available in iTunes!
By BJohnson
February 7, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
If you preorder Janet’s album on itunes, it will download “Rock With U” automatically. I love that song too, not as much as “Feedback” but Janet sounds like she’s grooving again.
By travis
February 7, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
good to see janet back with some pizazz. i like what i’ve heard and seen so far, but, didn’t madonna do all of this a few years ago?
By tinab
February 7, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
This one better be a keeper. You are so right. If she don’t get us back on this one Miss Jackson might want to look for another profession.
By Anthony
February 7, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
I am digging Janet’s feedback and Rock wit u. It sounds better than Usher’s new song, which sucks! I hope Janet and Usher don’t come out at the same time because you know Usher fans will kill Janet sales like last time.
By dont bite me bro
February 7, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
Mary J fights dogs.
By Somer
February 7, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
I have heard 3 songs of Feedback & they all suck! I cannot understand anything she is saying. Feedback sound just like that horrible song she did with that rapper Khia (my neck,my back)on the last cd. It sound like the only thing she did was change the lyrics.
Janet’s music sound like Euro-trash dance music that Ciara left on the studio floor. What ever happened to the mature Janet that we were hearing in the late 90’s with songs like “That’s the way love goes, I get lonely, Anytime, Any place and that monster laid back club jam she had with Q-tip called Got til it’s gone. She is going backwards to her teenage years. I think it’s about to be a rap for Ms. Jackson. This will be 3 bombs in a row.
By Somer
February 7, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
I have heard 3 songs of Feedback & they all suck! I cannot understand anything she is saying. Feedback sound just like that horrible song she did with that rapper Khia (my neck,my back)on the last cd. It sound like the only thing she did was change the lyrics.
Janet’s music sound like Euro-trash dance music that Ciara left on the studio floor. What ever happened to the mature Janet that we were hearing in the late 90’s with songs like “That’s the way love goes, I get lonely, Anytime, Any place and that monster laid back club jam she had with Q-tip called Got til it’s gone. She is going backwards to her teenage years. I think it’s about to be a rap for Ms. Jackson. This will be 3 bombs in a row.
By Chess
February 7, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
She is a has been sorry.
By Ms. Meka
February 7, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Janet is still and always will be beautiful, you look fabulous for 40something. But Ms. Janet, I think it’s time to just chill, I’m not feeling any of these songs. Really can’t understand what you are saying and it just don’t sound like anything I would dance to or buy. Try coming out with some fashionable clothes for 40something woman like me, because I’m also fabulous. Love ya Janet.
By Gary B.
February 7, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
All 3 Songs I have heard so far are very mediocre, at best. If these are the best songs that are being promoted as singles, her CD will be a huge disappointment. The production of all 3 songs sounds terrible….how about some real instruments and real musicians for a change….I’m so tired of this pop/garbage/tech sound…its not working for Janet on this project, in my opinion…And what is with all the effects on Janet’s voice…granted she does not have the most incredible singing ability, but to do all those wild contortions and effects to her voice makes her sound almost comical…….This CD and the singles will go nowhere on the charts…and die a sudden death on radio play lists.
By my opinion
February 7, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
I think Janet should have gone back with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. I think they were right on target with Janet’s style of singing.
By Somer
February 7, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
Gary, I feel you on the real instruments. I love the way, “I Get Lonely” opens with that organ & finger snapping. That is because she had producers who were musicians. Now she is dealing with a group of producers that don’t play any instruments. All they now are drum machines. I have every cd Janet made up till the Velvet Rope (including the 2 be4 Control). For someone with very limited singing ability, she has had a fabulous career. I know real singers who wish they had half her career.
By stan
February 7, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this
Her last album 20 was good, just did not get marketing that it should have, but the two tracks that I have heard on this album, it’s the bomb!!!!
By Music Critic
February 7, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Janet is HOT!
She has been around show business all her life - and she still sounds better than most of these - “Back Up Singers”-that producers are putting out front as “Diva’s”
Ciara is a back up Singer Tweet - is a back up Singer Keysiha Coles - Backup Singer Danity Kane - all Back up Singers J Holiday (who???) back up Singer
The only real artist out right now: 1. Alicia Keys 2. Mary J Blige 3. Janet Jackson 4. Beyonce Knowles
The rest - are BACK-UP SINGERS
GIVE US REAL ARTIST w/REAL MUSIC
If you want to bring back the industry.
By Stevie
February 8, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
JanJack better do it. She is the bomb … forever and always. Can’t wait for the album. Get it girl.
By Roderick
February 9, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
I feel janet will do it with this CD. Luv - that is my shirt right now and it’s very catchy. Once you’ve played it a few times, you can’t get the song out of your head…and the lyrics are genius (comparing an auto accident to falling in love with a guy).