Janet Jackson - janet. (PMI)

This video stretches the five promos for the "janet." album singles into a 74 minute compilation including rehearsal footage and alternate takes. The documentary side is a complete antidote to films such as "In Bed With Madonna". Here the "behind-the-scenes footage and never-before-seen home movies" consist of Janet working hard for weeks on dance routines, giggling with her girlfriends, water pistol fights and getting rather squeamish for filming the risque scenes for the promos. Quite a contrast to Madonna's version of 'control' on and off stage.

Two versions of each promo are presented and the cover shot was previously used on the front of Rolling Stone. The bonus cuts (including the one-take edit of "That's The Way Love Goes", a re-edited "Any time, Any Place" set to the "R. Kelly Mix" and the colourised "You Want This") are just as entertaining as the standard releases, but with an added rarity factor.

Janet Jackson either has a skill of being able to keep her public image up with the times or is just developing as a person, depending on how cynical you are! From the power dressing of her mid eighties breakthrough, "Control", taken to the logical - almost military - conclusion for "Rhythm Nation 1814", her current image is unique and diverse - being herself.


This review also published in: Record Collector