The soul music of the week reviewed...

Janet Jackson

The Best

A&M

Forever to be associated with wardrobe "malfunctions" and usually overshadowed by her older brother's exploits, Janet Jackson hasn't had the clearest run in the pop game. Despite having a firm handle on the hooks and beats it takes to create radio-friendly pop tunes, Jackson has never enjoyed the same success as her peers. The problem has usually been one of consistency, – she often sags in the middle rather than zinging from end to end. Jackson's need to cover all bases has usually meant a ton of fillers surrounding hits such as What Have You Done for Me Latelyand That's the Way Love Goes.The same, unfortunately, applies here on a double album that could – and should – have been slimmed down to a single hit-laden disc. www.janetjackson.com

Download tracks: What Have You Done for Me Lately, That's the Way Love Goes, Because of Love