Whitney Houston: Just Whitney
The Undercover Review


Unlike Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston has evolved by staying focused. Both started with the big A/C ballads and both developed into R'n'B. Whereas Whitney knew where to stop, Mariah's kept going in top gear and overrun the station.

The result is Whitney has managed to maintain her old audience while at the same time grow new fans. Mariah's attempt to become a black belt rap star in recent years has put her fans in limbo.

For Whitney, the balance is right. There's equal parts pop, R'n'B, soul and a dab of hip-hop. The P. Diddy remix of 'Whatchulookinat' keeps the album contemporary for Urban radio but if that's too heavy the original version that opens is smooth enough for pop. The two tracks incidentally are each produced by the two bad men in her life. P. Diddy, of course, for the remix and husband Bobby Brown on the original.

Bobby duets with the wife on 'My Love,' a tasty soft urban groove that would cross into AC radio as well.

Babyface also contributes to the record with 'Tell Me No' showcases that marvellous Whitney vocal range. His dramatic production builds to include some tasty guitar work from Michael Thompson. Babyface also shares the vocal on the dreamy cover of Debbie Boone's 'You Light Up My Life' later on the record.

There's a left turn to a little blues on 'Things You Say.' Whitney is an adaptable vocalist. 'Love That Man' is a breezy dance number and if you loved 'I Will Always Love You,' Whitney goes for a similar vocal style on 'Dear John Letter.'

By Hector the Rock Dog


Tracklisting

1. Whatchulookinat?
2. Tell Me No
3. One Of Those Days
4. Things You Say
5. My Love
6. Love That Man
7. On My Own
8. Dear John Letter
9. Unashamed
10. You Light Up My Life
11. Whatchulookinat? (P. Diddy Remix)

Label

BMG