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JANET JACKSON: Janet
(Virgin CDV2720)
WACKO soeur's first LP since 1990's Rhythm Nation arrived with a nine-page press release listing her "achievements", among them "cultural trendsetter/humanitarian". Fortunately, the record isn't nearly so pompous. This luxuriant collection of house, soul and pop is her best yet. Cod-Madonna throwaways like Throb aside, there are surprises all over the place. Public Enemy's Chuck D counterweights Jackson's sugared vocal to stunning effect on a black-pride anthem, New Agenda; soprano Kathleen Battle turns the heavyweight funk of This Time into something eerie and beautiful. Any Time, Any Place is, for heaven's sake, a velvety hymn to exhibitionism (her?). How will Jackson better this delectable album?
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