Search - Janet Jackson :: Control - The Remixes

Jammin' With Janet , Jimmy & Terry !

Armando M. Mesa | Chandler, AZ | 02/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an incredible, and sadly enough, out of print, cd with Jackson's best tracks to come off her mega-million selling Control album ! You get the rare gem of the "live" video mix for the titletrack Control. This single alone was extremely difficult to find even on the 12" extended Control vinyl single (the 12" Control single, shockingly enough did NOT contain this popular and sought after version)! Story behind the incredible live sound was that producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis actually added the "live" edge and funkier beats/instruments in the recording studio and later used it for the filming of the video.The live vocal-echoing acoustics to Jackson's singing was also an in-studio engineering/mixing enhancement. Janet lip synched it in front of the audience ! This was the version that should have also made it onto the actual Control album. Each track contains heavier beats, added synth work, interesting instrumental solos, looping or sampling effects not present on the regular album/cd. Nasty even takes on a thorough reworking that if it weren't for the lyrics you would never recognize the melody or beat as being the same song ! Jam and Lewis back in the 80's really knew how to remix the tunes of their affiliated artists and colleagues, not just Jackson's tunes (SOS Band, Cherelle, Alexander O'Neal, Human League)...Jam and Lewis knew how to re-mix and extend a song, not just by elongating it, but by adding new and exciting incredible elements !Also included is the extended funkified foot stompin' version The Pleasure Principle, the elongated dance mix When I think of You, What Have You Done For Me Lately,Nasty and a re-mixed (in a subtle way) version of Let's Wait Awhile...Regardles if you are a fan of Jackson's or just want to listen to some ingenious remixing from back in the day Control;The Re-Mixes is well worth searching for !"

Relive the great 80s!

Olukayode Balogun | Leeds, England | 02/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After owning this album on vinyl for years, I'm so glad to finally get it on CD. "Control" was not Janet's first album but it was the one that launched her into the stratosphere and, with the following three iconic albums, "Rythm Nation 1814", "Janet" and "The Velvet Rope", she earned the superstar status she enjoys till this day. Back in the 80s and 90s a lot of good music came our way and alongside people like Madonna, Mariah and Whitney, 'Ms Jackson, if you're nasty' ruled the airwaves.



This 1987 album showcases the great remixes of the songs she released off the "Control" album and it was these remixes - by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Shep Pettibone & Steve Hodge - that I remember hearing in the clubs and playing at house parties back then. She even had the legendary Herb Alpert on the "Cool Summer Mix Part Two" of "Nasty".



She was also probably the first artist to realise the significance of the club remix and this album in many ways outperforms the original "Control" album. The music is simply awesome and stands confidently well over a decade later, sounding better than a lot of the music currently in the charts. I defy anyone to put this CD on and remain seated.



Given the lacklustre performance - to these ears anyway - of Ms Jackson's most recent offerings, I sincerely hope she'll eventually be able to reclaim her crown by getting the standard of her music back up where it belongs. She's into her 40s now but I know she can do it. Meanwhile and until then, I'm loving this one and reliving the great 80s!"

ALL 8 TRACKS LISTED HERE:

One World | Denver, CO USA | 12/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"1. Control - The Video Mix 6:02

2. When I Think Of You - Dance Remix 6:25

3. The Pleasure Principle Long Vocal Remix - The Shep Pettibone Mix 7:23

4. What Have You Done For Me Lately - Extended Mix 7:00

5. Nasty - Cool Summer Mix Part Two 10:09

6. Let's Wait Awhile - Remix 4:30

7. Nasty - Cool Summer Mix Part One 7:57

8. The Pleasure Principle Dub Edit - The Shep Pettibone Mix 6:58



A note about 1980s remixes, you can still tell what the song is before the vocal comes in, if you are already familiar with the original version. Back in the 80s remixes were basically extended versions. The song "Let's Wait Awhile" is STILL a ballad with a few added instruments. Now the Cool Summer Mix of Nasty is about the most drastically remixed song as it has more music than the barebones LP version bringing a more jazz appeal to the song.



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