‘Janet, The Best,’ Janet Jackson, MCA Music

A two-CD packaged of her finest moments on record, “Janet, The Best” traces Janet Jackson’s beginnings from her breakout dance hits “What Have You Done For Me Lately” and “Nasty,” to her more melodic and astute musical outputs like “When I Think Of You” and “Let’s Wait Awhile” off 1986’s “Control.”

The hit-heavy “Rhythm Nation 1814” (1989) shows Jackson at a higher artistic level, mixing dance, R&B, funk, pop and rock on favorites like “Escapade,” “Black Cat” and the title track.

Jackson's long-running musical partnership with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis likewise created mid-tempo dance/funk hits like “That’s The Way Love Goes” and “Love Will Never Do (Without You),” and the ballad “Come Back to Me.”

Chart toppers like “Again,” “Runaway” and “Together Again” mark her second coming circa early ’90s wherein she was at her competitive best – and sexiest, too.

This hyper sexual makeover is also evident in the slow R. Kelly Remix of “Anytime, Anyplace,” “I Get Lonely” (featuring Blackstreet) and “Go Deep.”

Late ’90s collaborations with Q-Tip and Busta Rhymes (“What’s It Gonna Be”), plus turn of the century hits such as  “Call on Me” (with Nelly) and the sunshiny “Feedback” emphasize Jackson’s relevance through the decades.

“The Best” is a timeline of Jackson's musical journey that makes us look forward to more. It’s great that at least one hit-making Jackson is still around to keep the groove going.

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‘Senti 54 Pinoy Love Hits,’ Various Original Artists, Vicor Music/Viva Records

When they said “all sentimental hits,” they sure weren’t kidding.

This three-disc, 54-song collection offers a concise listing of local artists and OPM love songs from the ‘70s, ’80s, ’90s and beyond that are now considered pop classics.

Enjoy songs like “You” by Basil Valdez, “Hold On” by Side A, “You Are My Song” by Regine Velasquez, “Give Me A Chance” by Ric Segreto, “Till I Met You” by Kuh Ledesma and “I Need You Back” by Raymond Lauchengco – and that’s just on the first “Senti” CD.

The all-Tagalog set of “Senti Dos” includes unforgettable gems like Rey Valera’s “Pangako” and VST & Company’s “Ikaw Ang Aking Mahal” alongside favorites like Freestyle’s version of “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang” and Ogie Alcasid’s “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala,” among others.

“Senti Three” includes great songs like Martin Nievera’s “Each Day With You,” Neocolours’ “Say You’ll Never Go,” Odette Quesada’s “Friend Of Mine,” Passage’s “You Won’t See Me Crying,” and a whole lot more.

All keepers and not a throw-away in sight, you'd be singing along and taking a trip down memory lane before you know it. And just in time for Valentine’s Day, too.

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