Inside Whitney's CD...

New York Post PopWrap: Inside Whitney Houston's Comeback CD

Face it, the world has made tons of far-our promises -- flying cars, robot maids, food pills -- only to deliver in the crappiest way possible. However, fresh from its hazy, lazy hibernation of lies, the future is finally ready to deliver on one promise: the guaranteed diva resurgence that comes in the form of 11 new full-of-fierce Whitney Houston tracks.

Last night, PopWrap was invited to a special listening event, where a stunning Whitney previewed nine tracks from her upcoming comeback album, "I Look To You." The 200-person crowd consisted of Alicia Keys, Benny Medina, Gayle King, L.A. Reid, Martha Stewart, Steve Harvey, Vivica A. Fox, Diane Sawyer, and of course her mentor Clive Davis.

Right out of the gate, we heard "Million Dollar Bill," which displayed Houston's billion-dollar voice over a convertible-top-down Swizz Beats track. Blending a rough-riding thump with classic R&B elements, we knew in that instant: She. Was. Back.
The song's writer/producer Alicia Keys showed her true down-to-earth colors as she got up and danced -- while taking videos with her flipcam -- as the words she wrote inked history in the books of pop. If Clive has any sense, this energetic entry will be her first single.

"If he makes you feel like a million-dollar bill, say, 'Oh, oh/ Oh, oh,' " she quips on the hook. "It's been a long time since love has come my way. I've been looking and searching for a man to touch this place." Oh man, my skin is still recovering from too many goose-bumps.

Whitney's whole album sounds just like its debut track. Remarkable.

As the listening party kicked into full swing, other hits bumped through the speakers, like a re-make of the classic "A Song For You," a brass drum island single "Like I Never Left," produced by and featuring Akon and a girl-power anthem "Salute" by R. Kelly. But there are plenty of ballads to be found, like the title track "I Look To You," -- also penned by R.Kelly -- which turned the crowd of stiff, snobby execs into a pool of sappy, vulnerable children.

So prepare, my friends, for the return of Whitney Houston that we were all promised so long ago, because it is coming. Baton down the hatches, pack that last box of tissue and call your favorite people to let them know your location because for the first two hours of September 1, you'll be in your apartment getting your groove back.
 

NEWSFILE: 22 JULY 2009