Janet Jackson Music:

Editorial Review:
Teaming with her most accomplished collaborators, producer-songwriters Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson delivers what is easily her finest record since Rhythm Nation--and arguably her best ever. Highlights include jams like "You" and "Got 'Til It's Gone," which recontextualizes samples from War and Joni Mitchell, respectively; the funky memorial to a dear departed, "Together Again"; and a slinky cover of Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night." Best of all, though, is "What About." An accusatory throwdown for a lover who beats and cheats even as he professes his love, it swings angrily between tender quiet and raging bitter funk. --David Cantwell

The Velvet Rope Reviews:
"Check in the mirror my friend, no lies will be told then."
2009-11-10 - Janet doesn't have a powerful voice, nor is she a musical virtuoso. But none of that mattered when she hit her peak in the late '80s and throughout the '90s. She worked with phenomenal producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, as well as then-husband Rene Elizondo. Together, the four conceived groundbreaking concept albums that uncovered Janet's growth and development in a personal but never impenetrable manner. The Velvet Rope, released four years after janet., an album whose sensual grooves announced its namesake's second declaration of independence (after Control), perfects the slow burn atmosphere of its predecessor and digs far deeper into her psyche. Sex is no longer about sex alone but is a form of both escapism and self-discovery, as on "Rope Burn." Janet addresses listeners and herself in particular when she expounds on the universal need to feel special on openers "Velvet Rope" and "You." Smooth R&B cuts like "I Get Lonely" and "Go Deep" sink into the brain with their relaxing vibes, while janet.'s "Again" is refined on the ballad "Every Time." "What About," which covers domestic abuse, arguably boasts Jam & Lewis' best and most effective production ever. An obvious highlight is the ebullient hit single "Together Again," a house track that commemorates AIDs victims. While it does not have as many radio-friendly singles as its predecessors, The Velvet Rope is Janet Jackson's most accomplished effort and easily her most cohesive to date. 5 Stars.

Janet Crossing The Velvet Rope
2009-10-18 - An absolutely wonderful album-one of the very best in her music catalog and one of a select few albums that can function both as a whole and individual songs as well. Most of Janet's adult albums follow a distinct them and,on this one she essencially returns to the Rhythm Nation 1814 era interests in social concerns. The main difference on this album is that Janet was 30 years old at this point and her views and approches to humanist topics are different-with an excellent understanding of grooves and messages I often refer to as "people music":in short they've broadened in scope and the same can be said of the music. Musically the album has Jam & Lewis mixing up funk and jazzy ballads,with a lot of fender rhodes keyboards and such based on the neo soul sound becomming so popular at the time. But there is absolutely NO SENSE of "naturalness" here;the producers involved and the artist herself had too much of an ear to what was going on in music in the late 90's to "get the groove wrong" as it were. Many of this albums greatest songs,including some of the hits are straight up funk such as the title song,"You","Got It Til It's Gone" and the bumpalicious "Go Deep" deal heavily in a type of hip-hop/funk that,when sung as opposed to rap basically emphasize the funk aspect in the end. "Free Xone" is THE ULTIMATE groove on this album-with the heavy James Brown and Archie Bell samples and....Janet dealing with the issue of homosexuality in a very kind hearted and celebratory way. No irony is lost as she flows directly from that onto "Together Again",the great pop techno-disco tribute to those who've passed from AIDS. There are plenty of excellent slower jams here too from "Empty" to the really good hit song "I Get Lonely". She also does a 90's hip-hop/R&B cover of "Tonight's The Night" that (sorry Rod Stewart) is actually somewhat sexier than the original as Janet takes the opportunity to infuse the song with plenty of soft vocal insinuation. "What About" is just a firely funk/rocker where Janet stands up to an abusive lover with plenty of genuine assertiveness. If you take a few seconds to let the clock roll on after the final track "Special" you'll find...another funky hidden track in "Can't Be Stopped",showing a similar execution in the album to the one it followed up janet.. As with that album the single thing I would do a bit different is lighten up on the interludes a bit but,because this carries such a significant message:the idea of interpersonal relationships having a mutual effect with intolerance and the social ills we face everyday that those interludes are somewhat easier to tolerate. And they won't stop you from finding the many things to enjoy about this album.

her best album!
2009-08-12 - this album is dark and, different but if you listen to the lyrics this whole album tells a story,its amazing
the best songs are,(my favorites)
"velvet rope"
"free xone"
"tonights the night"
"got til its gone"
"go deep"
"together again"


Great
2009-06-08 - I received the product in a timely manner. The description of the product was the same as the condition the product was in when I received with it. It was a great experience from this seller.

Dark, But good!
2009-03-17 - This is the most experimental janet will propably ever be. And at the time she had good reason. Anyway,this album was huge when it came out. I remember together again was a huge hit always being played over the radio and tv(in truth i actually thought it was spice girls because of the similarity of the type of rhythms used). She did a great job of staying current, which even then people began to think she was alittle old. I thought she did a great job. Everytime is great ballad and excellent video. Free escape zone(whatever its called). Is a great uptempo track. And to me, alot of this album is very enjoyable to listen to. You will not be disappointed if you go out and get this cd. While, this isn't her best, certainly isn't as crappy as in recent years. I would recommend this for techno fans, r and b, pop fans, and hiphop. You won't e disappointed if you buy this album.