Arts & Entertainment
 

Jackson sexes up her latest album

Provocative album rides on waves of singer's racy Super Bowl performance

by Udochi Igbokwe
The Daily Cougar

"Relax, it's just sex," is a phrase that draws different reactions from different people, and it comes from the most anticipated pop album release in 2004 -- fueled by the SuperBowl nipplegate scandal. At 38, Janet Jackson releases her eighth studio album, Damita Jo, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Born into a family of great entertainers, Janet Jackson has a long list of accomplishments --musically and onscreen. This moves her status from the realm of the average entertainer to one of the greatest pop icons of this generation. With a magnetic and commanding presence, Janet Jackson exudes confidence on her new LP Damita Jo, which happens to be her middle name.

Damita Jo artistically could be Jackson's finest record since 1997's critically acclaimed Velvet Rope in the sense that it elevates her as an artist while exploring and fusing different genres of music.

Song titles like "Sexhibition," "Warmth" and "Moist," make it easy to understand the lyrical content of Damita Jo. Packed with 22 tracks of musical aphrodisiac, this record boasts production from Jackson's longtime collaborators Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Dallas Austin, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and the must-hear producer of the moment Kanye West.

The beats are sexy, sultry and infectious while the lyrics are so lustfully provocative and perfectly balanced between r&b, pop, and hip-hop. With enough tunes to please mainstream music lovers, the debut single of Damita Jo is the Kanye West-produced, "I Want You," a lovely song that mixes Janet's voice with the percussion and drums leading the way. "R&b Junkie," is a funky number slightly reminiscent of the singer's brother Michael Jackson's 1979 hit, "Rock With You." 

Other highlights of the album include, "Strawberry Bounce" which is a playful song that samples Jay-Z's vocals. "My Baby," a sexy, mid-tempo track produced by and featuring Kanye West, is surprisingly playful, yet shows Janet's growth as a vocalist. The song speaks of her passion for her lover.

With constant controversy surrounding Janet and her family, there is more to Damita Jo than meets the eye. Like fine wine that gets better with age, this album shows the musical progression of an artist who has reinvented herself since her musical debut in 1982. Jackson's latest LP exhibits maturity and the coming of age of a woman who is very much in touch with her sexuality. With this album, Jackson doesn't push the envelope, because the seal has already been broken.

Janet Jackson

Damita Jo

Virgin Records

The verdict: An enjoyable sexy and sultry album from a seasoned pop veteran.

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