Choice Cut : ''Feedback,'' ''The 1,'' ''Rollercoaster,'' ''Discipline''

A quarter of a century on, R&B reigning queen Janet Jackson is still on top of her game. It's no easy feat beating her brother Michael, the King of Pop, with six No. 1 albums under her belt. Was it just pure luck? We didn't think so.

For her 10th album titled Discipline, Janet deploys her usual flair for velvety R&B ballads. It's all very smooth, silky and sexual, whether if she wants to "Rock With You," or getting lovey-dovey with Ne-Yo on "Can't B Good" or simply turning into a doe-eyed teenage darling in the presence of love on "Never Letchu Go" and "Greatest X." All these years on, Janet is never reserved in expressing her womanly sexuality. Seriously, Jermaine Dupri must be doing something right, be it being Janet's producer and/or fiancé.

Tender, intimate moments aside, it's still the fiery up-tempo songs that make one sit up for a closer listen. Lead single "Feedback" is edgy and undeniably shows that Janet does keep up with her peers and at times, excel at bringing herself to the forefront of modern dance pop. "The 1," featuring the inimitable Missy Elliot, is another risqué corker -- "Tell me how long is it boo/7 inches/Yup, that will do." Too much information? As long it delivers the goods.

While Discipline does live up to Janet Jackson's name (which is a registered trademark, by the way), it still lacks a certain golden touch to ravel the heights of Control and Rhythm Nation. It's not about retro being the new black or people not moving on, it's just that sometimes, classics are quite simply, very hard to top.

Reviewer: bumblebeegtw Thursday 10 April, 2008    Rating: 8 / 10 "This has got to be Janet's best album since The Velvet Rope. The first 5 tracks are fab and sure to get you on the dance floor, especially 2Nite and Rock With U. She slows it down with Can't B Good, which despite its title, is actually pretty good. The Daft Punk-sampled So Much Betta is also quite funky and unique. Can't wait to see Miss Janet on tour!" Read all 5 reviews...   Your rating & comments: ------- 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1