The Cranberries - Doors and Windows (Island)

The much heralded "Doors And Windows" album by the Cranberries is the first release on the new mixed-media format Rainbow CD. In an effort to combine the benefits of all the different computer and multimedia formats, Philips Media (in conjunction with M/B Interactive of New York) and Island Records have produced a disc that will play on Macintosh and PC CD-Rom drives, CD-i players as well as normal audio CD players. Unlike other multimedia formats, a computer or CD-i player can read the mixed data tracks separately from audio tracks so you can choose whether you want to just listen to the Cranberries songs or experience an interactive investigation into their world. The audio here is very collectable indeed and features three different versions of "Zombie" (including an edit of the original demo), a live version of "Dreams", three other tracks, background loops of seven tracks and a further 40 minutes of conversation and Irish blarney. The multi-media includes 10 minutes of Quicktime video boxes, 5 minutes of full screen video, 90 pictures, lyric sheets and vox pops. All this is accessible though a Cranberries-style settee interface, not a million miles away from the cover of their first album, "Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?". You can click you mouse on different members of the band to hear anything from stories behind the songs or more important day-to-day facts ("I like Guinness!" says one if continually probed!). One of the most important and collectable interactive discs of the year. Although the interactive element could wear thin on repeated plays, thanks to Rainbow CD, the disc can be played on a conventional Hi-Fi for more long-term enjoyment.


This review also published in: Record Collector

Janet Jackson - Design of a Decade (Virgin)

Following Record Collector's complete history of Janet Jackson's career to date (back in April '95's issue), A&M Records and Janet herself took a retrospective look last autumn which resulted in "Design Of A Decade". A thorough and well-packaged project, "Design Of A Decade" covered a 'Best Of...' compilation album, video, limited edition CD of rare tracks and a clutch of important new remixes. But how can a 'Best Of...' omit three of her most recent singles? Why were tracks remixed only for the UK? And just how important are those "Rare" tracks anyway?

The story of "Design Of A Decade" dates back to when Janet signed with Virgin Records in 1990. Having spent the previous ten years recording for A&M, it was a natural assumption that her ex-label would do as any other, issue a compilation album to capitalise on the music they still owned the rights to. However rumour has it that, in an unprecedented move, Janet had a clause written into her contract with Virgin stating that when A&M decided to release a compilation album she could go back to them and record two last tracks. That's how even though Janet Jackson is a Virgin Records artist, her past two singles "Runaway" and "Twenty Foreplay" have been releases on A&M.

Given that Janet Jackson's first two long-players for A&M, her eponymously titled debut back in 1980 and 1981's "Dream Street", were only medium sellers this left "Design Of A Decade" only two albums and two new songs for a 'Best Of'. But in another unprecedented move they licensed two singles from Virgin's "janet." album and again won a coup. The first track licensed was the 1991 hit "That's The Way Love Goes" (the biggest single from the "janet." album), the second was the 1994's "Whoops Now". Being that the latter had been "hidden" on the "janet." LP (Ms Jackson had never wanted the song released in its own right) and not mentioned on the track listing, it's glory came when released as a single to promote Virgin's 1994 compilation "janet.remixed". Released that is, but not actually included on the album. So when A&M got their hands on the rights to include "Whoops Now" on "Design Of A Decade", they must have been rubbing their hands in glee as due to ineptitude at Virgin Records, they were giving the song it's first proper album release!

Given the shear amount of singles lifted from Janet Jackson's "Control" and "Rhythm Nation" albums, there's no shortage of well-known songs on "Design Of A Decade". And her 1989 hit with Luther Vandross "The Best Things In Life Are Free" was also added (although without the rap from Ralph T which featured in the original - another contractual problem?). Sixteen tracks in all, although these paled into insignificance with the release of a second CD of rare tracks and mixes. The first of these, "Young Love (12" Dance Mix)", was the B-side of her second single back in 1993 (and was again used for a B-side with "What Have You Done For Me Lately" in 1986). "Diamonds (Cool Summer Mix Edit)", the Herb Alpert track of 1987 which featured Janet on backing vocals, also appears. Also worth investigating are a string of early tracks (such as Don't Stand Another Chance" and "French Blue") which can be re-assessed for the first time on CD.

Rounding off the disc of rare - but un-anotated - extra tracks is one of David Morales new remixes of "When I Think of You". Comparing this to Shep Pettibone's (the Morales of the mid-80s!) remix of the same track on the accompanying video shows just how far the art of remixing has come in ten short years. To say nothing of the art of DJing, as anyone who caught Pete Tong's Essential Selection mix-up of "The Best Things In Life Are Free" and "What Have You Done For Me Lately" on Radio 1 will agree! In fact UK DJ's were given some exclusive promos of "Runaway"/"When I Think Of You" to promote the compilation. The latter was remixed by both Morales and Farley & Heller and one month after the official release of the single, the dancefloor promotion kicked in again with another 12" double-pack featuring a remix of "Runaway" by Junior Vasquez and house versions especially for UK dancefloors of "When I Think Of You" by Deep Dish.

The home video for "Design Of A Decade" is worth mentioning for its inclusion of the colourised promo for "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" (directed by Herb Ritts), "Runaway" and "Whoops Now"; all three of which are seen for the first time on this compilation. Other tracks like "Lets Wait Awhile" also take on special significance having been used as back-drops played on on-stage video screens on Janet's last world tour. The 90 minute tape rounds off with a backstage 'making of' the "Runaway" video, featuring an up-to-date interview with Ms Jackson herself.

The problem with video compilations for the collector is that they are so often released to early in a projects lifetime. For instance the "janet." video album appeared before "Whoops Now" was released and could be included and so was one track short. Similarly the "Design Of A Decade" video did not hang on for the inclusion of "Twenty Foreplay". But then it always leaves the fans wanting more and despite this, "Design Of A Decade" has achieved its goal of being perhaps the world's first non-cash-in Greatest Hits LP! As Janet herself said, "I wanted to put out something very special for my fans. I wanted them to know how much I appreciate their loyalty; it's important for me to return their love. That's why I co-wrote two new songs - and why I wanted "Design Of A Decade" to have a unique presentation."