"One Wish - The Holiday Album," Whitney Houston (Arista)


No surprises on this album, and the singer's supporters will appreciate her safe approach to traditional holiday music. This 11-song release opens with an adult-contemporary take on "The First Noel." Houston has taken some flak for teaming up with her young daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, on "Little Drummer Boy." She shouldn't. The child's singing serves as a precious interlude to mom's powerful pipes, and the mother-daughter collaboration seems fitting for the holidays. Houston puts a smooth jazz spin on several seasonal classics here including "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Joy to the World." The effect is charming.

-Elana Ashanti Jefferson