歌って踊るポップ/R&Bの女王、ジャネット・ジャクソン。1997年発表の通算6枚目、家庭内暴力、SM等のさまざまなセクシュアリティも歌われるアルバム。Q-TIPをフィーチャー、ジョニ・ミッチェルの「Big Yellow Taxi」をサンプリングする”Got ‘Til It’s Gone”他を収録。 (C)RS
amazon : Velvet Rope by Janet Jackson
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 recontextualises 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 throw-down 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
