STATE OF THE WORLD: A Jam With a Message… By William Fredrick Cooper
(Written January 9th, 2008)

Drugs and crime spreadin’ on the streets
People can’t find enough to eat
Now our kids can’t go out and play
That’s the state of the world today
-Lyrics of State Of The World



Music Aficionados,
I'm sure you might agree with me when I say that every now and then, there comes a song that grips you're body every time you hear it, causing chills up and down the spine, the hips , if very loose like mines, to sway, the feet to move and the an innate, instinctive head bob. Instead of listening to the jam, you feel it to your soul. The song STATE OF THE WORLD, by Janet Jackson does that to me. The second song of the RHYTHM NATION 1814 CD, the Marvin Gaye-like social messages about homelessness, prostitution and illiteracy grabbed me way back in 1989 when I heard the LP Version. Then in early 1991, when at The Palladium, a club in Midtown Manhattan, I heard the United Nations Dub, followed by the United Nations Remix, and lost my mind.

Feeling those tribal cat-and-call ad-libs as well as those African chants fused with a modern day bass groove, that night, I closed my eyes and launched into a dance solo some of my friends later described as ‘simply amazing.’ Feeling the spirit of the song then (as I do now even as I type), it was like a holy ghost moment at Church for me that night as the jam spoke to me.

I just knew I had to buy this cut, and it took me years to find this remix. Though commercially released all over the world as the 8th single from the Rhythm Nation LP (It went number one in South Africa - a no brainer in hindsight), it was restricted to radio and club play here in the U.S., in large part because of Janet leaving A&M for Virgin Records.

Finally locating this back in 2002, I wore out the CD it was on, and had to wait another five years before obtaining it again, only to lose it once more. Joining Janet's media site, last night I found a link to the song, and needless to say, as I type this and listening to the description of today's times via sinister bass and treble grooves, I can't help but tap my feet to the time while nodding my head to the message the song offers. Listen to this track, and tell me if it rings true.

This remix, by far, is the best one Janet has ever done. Take a listen on You Tube and tell me if you agree... (See link below)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0PSc0oxvZA&feature=related