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[From Sunday Star Ledger] Arista's L.A.-Houston connection No one questions Whitney Houston's ability as a singer, but her records have always been a bit impersonal. Antonio "L.A." Reid, president and CEO of Arista Records -- which signed her to a new $100 million, seven-album deal last week -- wants that to change. "I want her to make a record that reflects where she is in her life, as opposed to just singing songs that people write for her," he says. "I want it to be a record that's very true and personal for her." "She's at that point where people want to feel like they're getting a piece of Whitney, as opposed to just a recording. My goal is to make sure Whitney is motivated to give of herself, and make sure [her next album] reflects not only her taste, but also her personality and where she is in her life. Reid, whose first major success in the industry came through his songwriting and production partnership with Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, took over Arista's reins in July of 2000. His appointment followed the highly publicized ousting of the label's founder, Clive Davis, who subsequently started his own label, J Records. Houston has been with Arista throughout her career, and has sold 140 million units (albums, singles and videos combined) for the label. Still, she sees Davis as a mentor, and there was some speculation she might leave with him. But she decided to stay. Reid shares some history with Houston, too, having worked as a songwriter and producer on her 1990 album "I'm Your Baby Tonight" and the 1992 soundtrack to "The Bodyguard." He still has a vivid memory of their first session together, recording the "I'm Your Baby Tonight" title track. "She came into the studio, she listened to the track a couple of times, she got behind the mic and nailed it within 10 minutes. Perfect pitched, and exciting -- the whole nine. I had never seen a vocalist that talented in my life." While he says he doesn't know when her next album will come out (recording sessions haven't even begun), Reid calls her "absolutely the priority artist at this company. Not because we made a new deal with her -- not because of anything other than she's Whitney Houston." Though Houston released a two-CD greatest hits collection in April of 2000, Reid doesn't feel it did her justice, and wants to put out another one at some point. "There were a lot of remixes on it. They were good remixes: there was nothing wrong with that. But my goal would be to create a record that...people have grown up to Whitney Houston and made babies to Whitney Houston. Whitney Houston is a staple in their lives, and I want a record that reflects that journey." -Jay LustigNEWSFILE: 13 AUGUST 2001 |