Janet Jackson - Damita Jo [Clean] (CD)

All Music Guide

"Relax, it's just sex," Janet Jackson murmurs at the conclusion of "Sexhibition," the third song on her eight album, Damita Jo. Those words were recorded long before Jackson wound up America with her breastbaring exploits at the halftime show at the 2004 Super Bowl, but they nevertheless play like an casual response to the hysteria that engulfed the nation following her infamous "wardrobe malfunction." But, really, they're there to head off any criticism that could be leveled at Damita Jo, yet another album that finds Jackson exploring her sexuality, which she has been doing since 1993's janet.. With its preponderance of slowtempo, sensual grooves, sexual imagery, the occasional uptempo jam, and endless spoken interludes, it provided the blueprint for every record she made since, from the heavy eroticism of 1997's The Velvet Rope to the bedroom sighs of 2001's All for You. The latter suggested that she was abandoning the explicitness of The Velvet Rope, but Damita Jo proves that she wa...s merely flirting with modesty, since it's as explicit as pop music gets. Without strong rhythmic or melodic hooks, the album's slow grooves blend together and Jackson disappears into the productions, once again largely the responsibility of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The end result is a lowkey makeout record firmly in the tradition of The Velvet Rope, with a couple of standout tracks on the slower side, "I Want You" has a verse that's memorable, while "Just a Little While" is a good dance tune. [The "clean" version of Damita Jo retitles "Sexhibition" as "Exhibition" and removes two songs, "Warmth" and "Moist."] - Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide Read more Less