Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Anyone who's endured Whitney wannabees slavishly copying the diva on X-Factor will probably be less than excited about the star's return to the CD racks. In truth though the singer has made an album every bit as good as those mega selling hits of old. Reunited with industry mentor Clive Davis, and much more importantly restored to the Church after those harrowing years of drug addiction and abusive relationships, Whitney delivers a set of songs which take on urban R&B ("Million Dollar Bill", co-produced by Alicia Keys) with more technique than just about any other young pretenders bumping and grinding on MTV. Her soul gospel vocal on "Nothin' But Love" is truly stunning while her R Kelly-penned "Salute" is another gem. Probably the most moving of all is the Diane Warren composition "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" where she sings with passionate reality "I had nowhere to go/Thought I'd never make it through". Powerful stuff.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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