For anyone who has doubts about Whitney Houston’s ability to deliver hot new music and inspire with her golden voice, rest assured the diva still delivers.

Last night in the Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center Clive Davis personally hosted a once in a lifetime listening event to premiere Whitney Houston’s new album “I Look To You.”

It was the kind of event that you just knew was going to be special from the time we arrived. The event was a star-studded affair with celebrities, music biz legends, media and next generation tastemakers in attendance. The night promised to be special and it was just that. Attendees included Diane Sawyer, Cissy Houston, Dionne Warwick, LA Reid, Martha Stewart, Vivica Fox, and several contributors to the new release including Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys whose collaboration called ”Million Dollar Baby” kicked off the evening’s journey.

Clive Davis played host for the evening kicking off the nine song listening session with Million Dollar Baby written specifically for Whitney Houston by Alicia Keys and produced by Swizz Beatz. The song is a club banger with attitude. Whitney rides the track with a joyful and triumphant vocal. The lyric is dope, uplifting and empowering and Swizzy’s beat is just crazy! The industry crowd not known for showing emotion went bananas!

Whitney teams up with Akon on the island-influenced mid tempo joint called “Like I Never Left” The song features a nice melody and laid back, but passionate vocals from Houston and Akon.
“Worth It” is quite likely my favorite song on a release full of potential singles. The song was written by Jonte Austin and produced by Eric Hudson. I just love this tune! It’s grooving without trying too hard and positive without being sappy. The track moves along with an understated funk that makes your head bob as you get caught up in the terrific melody and lyric.

Other contributors to the release include Diane Warren and David Foster who wrote and produced the pop ballad “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”; Danja who produced Nothin But Love; Stargate who produced both the Jonte Austin penned midtempo romp “Call You Tonight” and the release’s only cover tune which we’ll get to a bit later.

R. Kelly penned the urban pop joint called “Salute” as well as the spiritually uplifting title track “I Look To You.” The title song embodies the over all tone of the release which is one of triumph over adversity and finding ones strength in something higher than self.

The evening came to a close with a truly original reworking of the Donny Hathaway classic “A Song For You” which after starting with a powerful vocal sung over piano chords, kicked into high gear with a club friendly track courtesy of Stargate. During the song the artist herself made her way onstage to personally thank everyone for attending.

Whitney looked incredible in a form fitting black dress and was clearly happy to be back. She’s in great voice, good spirits and apparently ready to remind us all why we fell in love all those years ago. As we all still grieve for genius lost, I’m happy to be able to proclaim “this is it!”

"I Look To You" will be released on September 1, 2009. It almost makes me look forward to the end of summer.

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