Harry Guerin spends the weekend with the Goodies singer's new opus.
When it comes to running times R&B and rap acts really give prog rock records a run for their money. Witness Jackie - 62 minutes and 16 tracks, including two remixes of the same song.
But while Ciara is the latest to eschew the still-golden, one-side-of-a-tape rule, her sixth album is refreshingly filler free and no hot air hike from start to finish.
Behind the mammy-saluting title, Jackie is all about bragging rights, breakups and bedroom prowess, with the 29-year-old showing again and again that she has the studio presence to carry it off - her softer side only appearing on parenthood ballad I Got You towards the close.
By that stage you've heard at least another six singles-in-waiting, and smiled approvingly at the nods to jungle, Euro disco and marching bands amidst the as-expected bells and whistles.
No stone cold classic but far better than you associate with the charts these days. Mother's pride is well-founded.
3.5/5
