Houston Updates Her Sound

Date: November 22, 1998
By John Soeder

From Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio)
Submitted by: Rachel D.


Whitney Houston
"My Love Is Your Love"
(Arista)

The last time Whitney Houston put out a proper studio effort, the United States was on the brink of war with Iraq. OK, so some things never change, but you can't say the same about Houston.

To update her sound on "My Love Is Your Love," her first nonsoundtrack release since 1990's "I'm Your Baby Tonight," Houston collaborates with some of the hottest names in hip-hop and contemporary R&B. Rodney Jerkins, the producer behind the Brandy and Monica hit "The Boy Is Mine," supervises the exhilarating opening cut, "It's Not Right But It's Okay."

Fugees-at-large Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill are responsible, respectively, for the anthemlike title track and the unlisted bonus track, a gender-switching update of Stevie Wonder's "I Was Made to Love Her." On "In My Business," Houston and Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott commiserate about the high price of fame.

"When You Believe," Houston's duet with Mariah Carey from the soundtrack to "The Prince of Egypt," may sound promising on paper, but this diva summit meeting is a disappointment. The liner notes reveal a mile-long list of credits for the tune, a classic case of too many chefs spoiling the broth.

"My Love Is Your Love" also reunites Houston with a couple of longtime associates. Babyface's "Until You Come Back" provides a serviceable if safe vehicle. On the other hand, Diane Warren's synth-heavy ballad "I Learned from the Best" sounds hopelessly dated.