I will say that The Velvet Rope is her most experimental and artistic album and it’s essential to her discography.Įdd:The Velvet Rope is my personal favorite Janet album – by FAR the album I revisit the most – but I can’t in good faith say it’s her best, not when Rhythm Nation is staring me in the face. Is The Velvet Rope Janet’s best album?ĭarius: Even though this is my favorite album of ALL TIME, I can’t front that when it comes to cohesion and an immaculate set of tracks, Rhythm Nation is that one. A great remix always brings a whole new perspective to a track – Timbo and Misdemeanor understood that assignment. While I’m sure the obvious choice is the TNT Remix of “I Get Lonely” with Blackstreet, I gotta show love to Timbaland and Missy’s “Go Deep” remix, which completely reimagines the hyperactive original as an intergalactic block party. Honorable mention is the “Jimmy’s Deep Remix” of “Together Again” which is not the “Deeper Remix” that had a music video.Įdd: “Go Deep (Timbaland and Missy Remix)”Ĭan’t lie, I totally forgot about that Preemo remix – I hadn’t heard it in years. There are some great remixes that came from this era but that DJ Premier mix of “Together Again” is literally top tier! I love the performance of it at the 1998 American Music Awards. Which one is best?ĭarius: “Together Again (DJ Premier 100 in a 50 Remix)” Tons of remixes were spawned from this album. It’s understated yet strikingly powerful. And, as Dary mentioned, the video’s real draw is its subtle commentary on race relations, which still hold up today. In many ways, it set the template for neo-soul artists in the coming decade. I was always struck how the shadowy cinematography flew in the face of the overly-flashy, glossy visuals of the era. She gave us plenty great videos from this era but this one takes the cake for me.Ī no-brainer. My favorite part is when all the Black people are having a dance party in the Whites Only bathroom. She was subconsciously promoting the Black Lives Matter movement way back in 1997 while the video is alluded to take place during Apartheid. What’s the video video from this project?įirst off, “Got til it’s Gone” has one of the best cinematography for a Janet video and she looks amazing as usual. I think it would have made a better choice for final single than “You” or “Every Time.” Janet is the queen of iconic visuals. Despite Velvet Rope’s unabashed sexuality, we didn’t really get a Sexy Janet Single on this project (unless you stretch and count “Go Deep,” I guess). But I agree with Dary’s hat tip to “Anything.” It’s a pretty obvious successor to “Any Time, Any Place,” sure, but it’s the type of sultry slow-burner that would have been all over Quiet Storm radio playlists in 1997. It probably would have gave her another Billboard R&B #1. “My Need” definitely would have easily been a great single especially for Black radio. Name an album cut that should have been a single. Even the breathy pacing of the verses add to the song. By 1997 Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were far from strangers in terms of working with Janet, so it’s no shock that this song is such a perfect compliment to her tone and energy. Certainly it gets love in Janet’s hard core circles but it’s barely a blip on the radar of many fans. I’m gonna feel like a broken record by the end of this post but Velvet Rope’s best song is almost its most underrated song. The production here is INSANE and is probably an argument for the blueprint of alt-R&B. Hot take, that one FKA twigs song or Kelela song you like was birthed through this song. Looking for love through the worldwide web is the norm now and she sings about a lover she’s never met in person. As a song that came out in 1997 when the Internet was still fairly new, it’s truly ahead of its time and aged extremely well. I swear “Empty” doesn’t get the love that it deserves. Y’all have heard me complain for a whole decade now about lifeless midtempo cuts – here’s the blueprint for creating an energetic track while keeping the vibes mellow and sexy. “My Need” is quietly Janet’s best deep cut to date, expertly marrying those “Love Hangover” and “You’re All I Need to Get By” samples flawlessly. 1 but we’re in total agreement and he nailed why in his breakdown. I expected to come here to plead the case for “My Need” as No. When it comes to this album, my choice of best song always vary but this is always a top contender. She does this song justice and is one of the best deep cuts in her catalog. They way she has an ear for harmonizing and you can hear it on this song along with the Marvin & Tammi melody. Free Xone” Let’s talk your pick for the best track on The Velvet Rope.
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