By Robert Evanoff

Once upon a time, I set out to accomplish the incredulous. It began one afternoon as I contacted the publisher of AAJ to inform him that I was going to submit a CD / show review of Janet Jackson. The idea was stonewalled as preposterous and even I wondered, "Had I really been inhaling too much smog lately?" Musically, Janet's slickly produced grown-up, teen pop is the complete antithesis of the core essence of jazz. Was I mad? Well, not entirely mad as I did refrain from suggesting that we change the name of the site to www.allaboutjanet.com. So, without further ado, this review is dedicated to Mr. Ricci; it's All For You.

I can hear the purists grumbling, "Ricci, what are you doing? Please protect our sanctuary." We come here to read all about jazz, real musicians playing real music, produced only enough to properly catch the tones wrenched from instruments, an extension of the collective being. Let's face it, if you predominantly listen to jazz, you do not take listening to music lightly and are, at times, passionately irreverent about your convictions including those about the state of music in the new millennium but I do believe that most jazz aficionados not only enjoy other music but seek it out though often in secret.

And if Jazz represents one of the greatest American made brands of the 20th century, I venture to suggest that it's not the only one.

The other one is also one of the greatest, for the fact that it even exists, though generally viewed with contempt and outright disdain. Yes, I am referring to the pretty-on-the-outside gleam of corporate manufactured and pre-packaged disposable pop. And contrary to debate among pundits, this is indeed a brand that continues to evolve as new generations of record weasels learn how to play the executive level game called C.Y.A. When it comes to longevity, Ms Jackson has been improving her soluble formula for 20 years and as evidenced on All For You, her latest consumable, the best producers (Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis), songwriters, samples from time-tested songs (Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" on "Son of a Gun") and state-of-the-art technology are blended into a pleasant plum puree.

So, how can these two disparate brands exist?

Whereas jazz emotionally investigates music, stretching it, re-creating it, infusing varied textures, modes and improvisation, Janet's brand of urban allure does not. Or does it, but in a subtlely calculated light-hearted way?

Whereas, fans of jazz go to a small dimly lit club to attentively listen to music, fans of Janet are their nemesis. Music and actual real-time singing are nearly secondary as witnessed at her two recent sold-out shows at the Staples Center in L.A. They scream inanely at her dramatically choreographed sincerity, sing along to her mass-market radio fodder and are disappointed if she (and her dancers) don't change clothes and stage settings every three songs.

So, whether one envelops music as theater searching the soul or theater in search of a soul through music, might you wonder which is which?

Whereas jazz musicians focus on the music and the spiritual energy spontaneously combusting from the free-flowing interplay, the energy of a Janet concert comes from fans screaming her name as if she had forgotten who she was. This would definitely annoy most jazz fans or, actually, most anyone though the sheer power of an arena full of piercing shrills can indeed give you goose bumps while on your way to a headache.

So, is there a spot in your listening repertoire for both Janet and Jazz? Let's face it; being one of the most recognizable female singers in pop culture, I would be hard-pressed to imagine that even the staunchest of jazz-bos have not heard of Janet. Come on, she's attained the first-name-only stature. This feat is only reserved for the biggest names. If I were to utter "Bird" or "Miles" or "Duke" or "Ella," I would venture to guess that 100% of the AAJ readers would know who I was referring to.

Furthermore, we all have our guilty pleasures and if you're going to feel guilty, you might as well indulge in a stylish and silky urban soul nugget like All For You. Whether it's the infectious title cut, the warm bounce of "Someone to Call My Lover" or the erotic breathiness of "Would You Mind," Janet confidently emulates sex with her voice and could indeed set the background mood for a cozy evening.

And, rest assured, no one has to know your closet whims. In fact, when prompted by the High Fidelity clerk with a dour look in his eye, proclaim your purchase as a gift for your daughter's birthday and then change the subject to the lack of good 180-gram vinyl on certain pressings. But leave the store with a spry smile knowing that it's All For You!