An Album/Song A Week: Janet Jackson - Control

 Janet Jackson was only 20 years old when she released her breakthrough album, Control. Before its release she had put out 2 mostly-negligible albums of R&B/Dance-Pop.  So, no one was expecting this kind of artistic leap, based on her previous work.  I maintain that Control is the best statement on artistic and personal independence ever made. 

  Janet's secret weapon in turning Control into a classic were former Time members, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. They had achieved their first success as Producers/Songwriters in 1982 with the SOS Band.  And leading up to working with Jackson they had already scored a bunch of R&B hits.  But crossover hits proved elusive until "Tender Love" went Top 10 in 1985 by the Force M.D.'s.  

  Jam & Lewis took Prince's Minneapolis Sound and added more R&B to the mix.  In Janet Jackson they found the perfect artist at the perfect moment.  Janet wanted to shed her teen years and Jam & Lewis looking for more crossover success.  Seven of the 9 songs were written by the trio. And while all the songs touch on either failed relationships or the joy of a new one, they are all told with a new found maturity. On the title track, Janet lays it all out in her own personal statement. 

  Control turned out to be the breakthrough everyone had in mind.  And Jam & Lewis/Janet Jackson would go on to make more great albums.  But Control remains my favorite.