How do you reintroduce a Pop Icon? With the class and subtle extravagance that have become synonymous with Antonio "L.A." Reid and his Island Def Jam family.

 

This evening, the Island Def Jam Music Group, Chairman L.A. Reid and Island Urban/So So Def President Jermaine Dupri welcomed tastemakers, industry execs, celebrities and some lucky Janet Jackson fans to sample her forthcoming album, Discipline - her 10th studio album. One of the best-produced Pop albums of recent memory, Discipline boasts production credits from classic hit-makers Jermaine Dupri and Rodney Jerkins as well as Janet's IDJ labelmate, Ne-Yo.

 

As the eager crowd entered the Midtown NYC theatre, they were greeted by leather "covered" "Disciplinarians" who, with leather whips in one hand, passed out programs with the other. It was certainly an interesting twist on what proved to be an interesting night.

 

Discipline was introduced to the crowd by the track "I.D." and an accompanying reel, which cataloged the diva's accomplishments and opened the door to questions: "What will Janet do next? What can she do next?" The beautiful Jackson is an industry veteran of more than 25 years - releasing her 1st album, Janet Jackson, in the early 80's. From many multi-platinum albums to starring in films alongside actors like Eddie Murphy and 2Pac Shakur, Janet Jackson has spent the last 3 decades as one of the most talented, well-rounded entertainers out there - she can do whatever she wants.

 

The crowd, Reid and Dupri bounced to the up-tempo "Feedback", "Luv" and "Rock With U" and swayed to ballads like "Greatest X". Discipline truly brings fans back to the days of "Rhythm Nation", "I Get Lonely" and "All For You" - yes, a whole decade's span.

 

In a post-listening interview with Blender Magazine's Editor-in-Chief Joe Levy, Janet was asked her about the process that went into choosing songs and producers for the project, she replied "I picked what sounded like classic Me" (and succeeded). Not only in production, and also as noted by Levy, Discipline continues 2 themes that Janet has kept throughout her music career: Love and Sex. Jackson giggled as she acknowledged Levy's observation, "...because I love 'love' and I love 'sex'."

 

Though the crowd only heard about half the album, the 10-or-so tracks exemplified, articulated and reasserted Janet's three-decade Pop music dominance.

Janet was "reintroduced" tonight, but its clear that she never left.

 

Launch the "Jukebox" on Janet's Site to listen to "Feedback", "Luv" and "Rock With You"

http://www.janetjackson.com/site.php

 

 

You can read this article on UniversalMusic.com - http://www.universalmusic.com/artist-news/janet-jackson-island-def-jam-give-disciplined-sneak-peak-her-new-album