Product Description

Although Janet Jackson had released two records in the early 1980s, they were quickly forgotten, and notably shaped by her parents' considerable influence. Janet's landmark third album, 1986's CONTROL, would change all that.
On the opening title track, Jackson vents at her parents, and, with passion and grace, declares her own independence, moving out ofthe gargantuan shadow of her brother Michael and on to the business of making her own classic pop record. The true genius of CONTROL lies in the marriage of her extremely self-assured vocals with the emphatic beats of R&B production wizards Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The duo was already well established in the music industry, but the practically flawless CONTROL showcased Jam and Lewis's true studio mastery. For thebetter part of two years, Jackson remained on the pop charts, with a full two-thirds of the album's tracks released as singles, including the ever-quotable "Nasty", the assertive "What Have You Done for Me Lately", the frenetically danceable "When I Think of You", and the smooth, message-oriented ballad "Let's Wait Awhile". With CONTROL, Jackson achieved long-awaited superstar status and never looked back.

Track Listing

1. Control
2. What Have You Done For Me Lately
3. You Can Be Mine
4. Pleasure Principle
5. When I Think Of You
6. He Doesn't Know I'm Alive
7. Let's Wait Awhile
8. Funny How Time Flies
9. Nasty

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #81560 in Music
• Released on: 1993-12-31
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

From Amazon.com
"Free at last / Out here on my own," Janet Jackson sings on the title track of her 1986 blockbuster, Control, an album about personal liberation, romantic longing, and, of all things, sexual responsibility. After two albums of middling dance-pop that were comfortably in the Jackson family mold, Janet dropped in on the burgeoning Minneapolis funk factory of producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and came up with five top 10 hits, including the opening triad of "Control," "Nasty," and "What Have You Done for Me Lately," as well as the yearning "When I Think of You" and "Let's Wait Awhile," that rare song (considering some of Janet's hits to come) about not having sex. In its own way, Control is the most convincing declaration of artistic independence since Stevie Wonder's "Music of My Mind." --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews

Janet's Big Breakthrough.
Just when it seemed like Janet's musical career was never going to take off, out popped `Control' a crucial success, as well as signalling Janet's new found independence. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis were recruited to produce this album, and blimey did they do a good job.

The title track `Control' is upbeat, as well as lyrically explaining to us all that she is now free from all restraints, and by the sounds of it she loving every second, this is even more evident when you listen to `Nasty' it's a rebellious song with plenty of sexual references thrown in, then there's one of my personal favourites `When I Think Of You', not quite as upbeat, certainly not as explicit as some of the material on here, i can understand why this bouncy catchy pop track made the only number 1 single from this album, `The Pleasure Principle' love it, it makes you feel good after maybe a long hard day, it's quite relaxing in a way, hence the word `Pleasure', `You Can Be Mine' very energetic, and Janet also sounds like she having tons of fun, love the use of those electric guitars, really good beat, `He Doesn't Even Know I'm Alive', should of been a single, once again again one of feel good songs that you can't get out of your head, the saxophone gives the song a much softer tone, and if i may say so a much classer one too, `What Have You Done For Me Lately', it's quite a good song, and the beat plus the message is quite strong and sharp, it's not one of my absolute favourites though, to finish off the album nicely we have `Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)' very appropriate, while at the same time possibly being the most sexual song on the album, for some parts she is making sexual references in French, and then saying `I really have to go' in quite a preppy dialogue, the song is slow tempo and acts as a good finale, but still seems like a slight filler.

This album is an extremely good choice for anyone who loves, or craves pure 80s pop, as from start to finish its just that, this album, the 3rd groundbreaking attempt, i would argue helped make Janet a international icon, allowed her to establish her own style, and took her out of the shadow of older brother Michael.

Control
Classic 80s pop at its best from the true princess of pop, Janet Jackson.
Even today the beats, lyrics and rythmns still sound fresh.
My favorite tracks from this album include, what have you done for me lately, let's wait a while, control and pleasure principle.

an icon in the making!
few words can descibe Janet...like with all her cd's you feel like this is an artist who is comfortable with recording her present moods/conflicts/troubles and feelings. Control was the begining of this journey and set the scene for all the brilliant work that follows. music appears dated now but any fan will love this as it was the first step to her iconic status of today.