FAVE ALBUMS: #87. Continues tomorrow.

THE CAFFE` LATTE`

200

MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS

Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included. This is a personal listing of the albums I enjoy the most to this day.

#87

JANET: JANET JACKSON

 

 [1993] 

On 'Control' and 'Rhythm Nation 1814', Janet Jackson evolved. With Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis at the steering wheel, both albums established her as a star in her own right. By the time follow-up 'Janet' was unleashed, her career was rivalling her brother's. The trilogy reached a peak with this 1993 album. The music on offer here was more diverse. Jackson's increased confidence allowed the performer to shift her focus on delivering songs filled with hooks and studio wizardry. The Supremes' "Someday We'll Be Together" is cleverly sampled on "If"; horns blast on the rock-flavoured "What'll I Do"; the beat gets funky on "Throb". The versatility continues on the throwback "Funky Big Band". The ballad "Again" changes the mood. Jackson switches gear on the sexy "That's The Way Love Goes". Her performance on this soul gem  is as good a make-out song as anything by Marvin Gaye. Sadly, Jackson never managed to keep up the quality accomplished on the trio of albums at this point in her career. Her 2015 album 'Unbreakable' saw her collaborating again (after a 10-year gap) with Jam & Lewis and was a return to form.

Highlight tracks: That's The Way Love Goes; If & Throb.