ALBUM SPOTLIGHT REVIEW: WHITNEY HOUSTON

Whitney-The Greatest Hits
PRODUCERS: various
ALBUM PRODUCERS: Clive Davis, Whitney Houston
Arista 07822-14626

For Houston, who's celebrating her 15th anniversary at Arista and who recently received her sixth Grammy Award (for "It's Not Right But It's Okay"), the timing couldn't be better for this two-disc, 36-track career retrospective. One disc, subtitled "Cool Down," includes such signature Houston ballads/downtempo tracks as "Greatest Love Of All," "All The Man That I Need," and "I Will Always Love You." The second disc, subtitled "Throw Down," places the spotlight firmly on the singer's many forays into clubland and includes such exclusive remixes as Jellybean & David Morales' mix of "Love Will Save The Day," the Dronez's mix of "I'm Your Baby Tonight," and Junior Vasquez's mix of "How Will I Know." Special highlights include three newly recorded duets: "Same Script, Different Cast" with Deborah Cox, the Metro mix of "Could I Have This Kiss Forever" with Enrique Iglesias (the song originally appeared on Iglesias' album "Enrique"), and "If I Told You That" with George Michael (the song originally appeared on "My Love Is Your Love" sans Michael). Also included is the summer-ready "Fine," which was produced by Q-Tip, DJ Quik, and Raphael Saadiq. Quite the stellar collection.

R&B: WHITNEY HOUSTON & DEBORAH COX

Whitney Houston & Deborah Cox
Same Script, Different Cast (4:58)
PUBLISHER: not listed
WRITER: not listed
PUBLISHER: not listed Arista (album track)

Despite the talk out there these days about Whitney Houston, this diva can still outsing the best of them. And what a partnership-the queen of the Arista empire with outgoing president Clive Davis' diva-in-training, Deborah Cox. Instead of competing vocally (which was the vibe with Mariah Carey for the sappy melodrama "When You Believe"), the two complement each other perfectly. The song is sung as if it's a scene between two actors. From the simple, classical piano intro, it builds gradually, growing more intense musically as the story intensifies, ultimately culminating in a powerfully performed finale with full strings, magnificent high notes, and all the emotion that comes with an expertly written lyric. The story starts with the former lover, Houston, giving advice to the new woman, Cox, explaining that she'll experience the same sad story of those who went before her. The song could have been tacky and catty, but instead, it's sweet, compassionate, and nostalgic. "Same Script, Different Cast" is one of several new tracks featured on the upcoming Whitney Houston greatest-hits set, and it's already getting substantial airplay at radio. Despite any bad press Houston might be suffering, her talent always outshines any personal challenges. And Cox demonstrates that she is as good as the best and still getting better.