As self-appointed head of the Saint Damita Jo Fan Club, I am naturally skeptical when unvetted enthusiasts take it upon themselves to remix, rework, mash-up, breathe on, or speak about Janet Jackson's music. Case in point: Ciara's remix of "Feedback." So, you can understand my hesitation before listening to 100 Akres aka FreshNerd's Janet Jackson Beat Tape. Yes, the album he "flipped" and "ripped into digital confetti," Control, is a classic. The music and the resulting visuals are forever burned into our collective memory. However, adoration aside, we can't just go revamping and chopping national treasures up all willy nilly, just because you love Janet. At any rate, before pressing play, I checked out the remixer's Bandcamp page to hear his other work and see if the review committee (read: me, myself, and I) deemed him worthy to take on such a task. Upon inspecting his Whitney Houston Beat Tape, which included titles such as "Good Hed" and "SavingAllTheseGuns," I had to stop myself from calling Homeland Security. His New Edition and David Bowie beat tapes are great, though. On the Janet Jackson Beat Tape, he uses the same formula: crafting a new instrumental track using dozens of samples and soundbites. He even uses a Snoop Dogg verse over "IguessurMine." I guess. Well, if I had to choose a standout, I'd have to go for "Pleasure 4 Janet," a reworking of "Pleasure Principle." It's actually pretty sick, and I'd like to see it extended a little more, or mixed with her vocals. Janet Jackson purists may not feel this project, but if beat tapes are your thing, then be sure to grab the free download.
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