The Whitney we know and love

Date: November 18, 1998
By Sonia Murray

From Cox News Service
Submitted by: Rachel D.


"Whitney Like You've Never Heard Her Before," proclaims the sticker on Whitney Houston's first studio album in eight years. Such false advertising.

The singer-actress's return to recording something other than a soundtrack is actually, often pleasantly, familiar. Pulling from the gospel roots she displayed breathtakingly well on the "Preacher's Wife" soundtrack, Houston joins Lauryn Hill on a cover version of Stevie Wonder's "I Was Made To Love (Him)," a reworking that's as memorable as her take on "I Will Always Love You" on the "Bodyguard" soundtrack. And "It's Not Right But It's Okay" is as sister-girly as all that was "Waiting to Exhale," the movie and soundtrack featuring Houston.

Then there are such by-the-numbers big ballads as "I Learned From the Best," "You'll Never Stand Alone" and "When You Believe," her overemoted duet with fellow pop diva Mariah Carey. You have to expect those exercises in riffs and octaves from a Grammy favorite who made her rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" a top seller. The surprise comes when the often predictable rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, as guest producer, tastefully reveals Houston as a sensual being on "Oh Yes."

And leave it to Houston's most familiar collaborator, producer Kenneth " Babyface" Edmonds, along with Daryl Simmons, to draw out one of her most stirring vocal performances on "Until You Come Back." Proof that Whitney like we've heard her before is really quite fine.

"My Love Is Your Love"

Whitney Houston. Arista. 13 tracks.

Grade: A-

The verdict: Whitney's new effort is mostly like old times.