Any Time, Any Place Review

07/13/2005 5:00 AM, AMG


"Any Time, Any Place" was the fifth official stateside single release from Janet Jackson's highly successful janet. album. The song peaked at number two on the U.S. pop charts, and that lofty peak was largely due to a well-packaged maxi-single featuring several remixes and a hit bonus track unavailable on any album. The single starts off with the R. Kelly remix of "Any Time, Any Place," which is a meandering but ultimately sexy and engaging take on a song which, in its original version, is subtle, sophisticated, syncopated, and jazzy. The remix is more straightforward pop and radio-friendly but doesn't relinquish its urban groove. The original version was superb, but, at over seven minutes, perhaps was too long and slow for pop radio. The second track on the maxi-single is a house mix of "Any Time, Any Place," but, with the original vocals set against the new dance beat, makes Jackson sound as though she's half asleep. It's not bad, but definitely lacks the punch that "Throb," the next track, possesses. "Throb" was the only true house song from the janet. album. The version here is the pulsating album version, which, with its call-out vocals, repetitive chants, and relentless beat, is about as true a house song as Jackson has ever recorded. Finally, this single includes (and as one of its main selling points) the non-album track "And On And On," which borrows from Sly & the Family Stone's "Family Affair." The final result is an excellent, funky, retro-sounding, disco-leaning, laid-back, Sunday-afternoon-at-the-park type summer jam. So for this single, which plays more like an EP, the main selling points are the sly R. Kelly remix of "Any Time Any Place" and its pleasing feel-good B-side, "And On And On." ~ Jose Promis, All Music Guide