Album Reviews: Pop

Date: November 26, 1998
By Gerald Poindexter

From The San Diego Union-Tribune
Submitted by: Rachel D.


MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE WHITNEY HOUSTON Arista * *

Whitney Houston's latest arrives for the holidays with all the emotional trimmings: anticipation and expectation.

However, consternation is the feeling that may linger even among die-hard fans after hearing this disappointing 13-song collection -- Houston's first non-soundtrack album in eight years.

The familiar architects of her grandiose, gospel-tinged ballads and soulful pop songs are here: composer-producer Babyface, producer David Foster and songwriter Dianne Warren. But Houston delegates most of the writing and production chores to the Fugees' Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill, and to R&B/hip-hop beatmasters Rodney Jerkins and Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot.

Jean oversees the title track, which moves along with an electronic reggae undercurrent; Hill coaxes Houston's most energetic performance on "I Was Made to Love Him"; and Elliot's "Oh Yeah" is Houston's most sensuous material in years.

The weak link is Jerkins, a 20-year-old production Wunderkind.

A singer of Houston's talent and stature deserves better than his soulless, obsessive drum programming, particularly on "If I Told You That," where he recycles nearly every aspect of his song "The Boy Is Mine," the hit single sung by Brandy and Monica.