Entertainment

Music Scene: Jackson's back and wide awake

Janet Jackson has apparently bowed to fan pressure and released a new record
Janet Jackson has apparently bowed to fan pressure and released a new record Janet Jackson has apparently bowed to fan pressure and released a new record

JANET Jackson has given in to fan pressure and finally released some new material. A recent online 'missing persons'-style campaign by Janet devotees went viral after other pop stars got involved echoing the sentiment.

The fans were begging for "even a single, an album or a tour" and now they have in fact been granted all three. New track No Sleep finds Janet in a very silky smooth R&B mood and is a bit of a slow burner to be honest – don't expect the instant pull of an Escapade or a What Have You Done For Me Lately.

Far from it, No Sleep washes over you very gradually and finally gets under your skin after a handful of listens. Her new album will follow shortly and then the Unbreakable World Tour will roll into arenas across the globe.

As if that wasn't enough activity, Miss Jackson has now also launched her own label Rhythm Nation Records (via which her own new music will be released) and is also about to launch a new range of diamonds with a New York Jewellery company. The line will be called The Janet Jackson Unbreakable Diamonds Collection and will offer very high-end jewels. For example, she wore one of her own pieces, a heart-shaped pendant, to the recent BET awards and its retail price is – $2million.

Maybe we'll get discount if we buy the album.

Back of the Net

MY FAVOURITE summer track this year so far is the excellent Rio by Netsky. The Belgian DJ/producer has come up with a totally addictive drum and bass romp that is big on melody and high on holiday fun.

The whole thing is so catchy that the verse vocals even compete for the honours as the stand-out part of the track – the instrumental break after each vocal section is just pure joy. The verse lines start out with hip-hop drums and quite a menacing tone to the vocal before the 'chorus' kicks in with a happy vengeance, like winter turning into summer. This needs to be a huge hit.

Sweet Freedom

PHARRELL Williams is back with brand new single Freedom. The song draws on his many jazz influences and will split fan reaction right down the middle. Based around a relentless piano figure, the song is monotonous and hypnotic and if you were expecting to be uplifted by Happy part 2, think again.

I actually really like the track and perhaps it's a good idea that Pharrell has turned back down a more quirky avenue as his unbridled recent success could easily have seen him become a pure pop star and he is so much more than that. NERD and Neptunes fans will be pleased by this release whereas the more casual observer may see Freedom as a very peculiar excursion.