Whitney Houston

This self-titled release launched Whitney Houston into the mainstream with a phenomenal number of hits. Everything that established this vocalist as the belter she is appears here: "You Give Good Love," "How Will I Know," "Saving All My Love For You," and "The Greatest Love of All." Plus, it's insanely catchy, and it made Houston a star.

Blessed with one of the most exciting new voices in years, Whitney Houston sings the hell
out of the pleasant but undistinguished pop-soul tunes on her album, which was put
together by a consortium of top producers: Michael Masser, Jermaine Jackson, Kashif,
Narada Michael Walden. But compared to the Bacharach-David gems that launched Dionne
Warwick or the bluesy originals on Phoebe Snow's first album, many of the song... More >

I'd never claim that this sweet, statuesque woman and her sweet, statuesque voice are victims of exploitation. She obviously believes in this schlock. But not counting the Jermaine Jackson duet from his own Arista debut, only one of the four producers puts any zip in--Narada Michael Walden, who goes one for one. And it could have been worse--they could have sicked Barry Manilow on her the way they did with cousin Dionne. Then the credits could have read: "To Barry Manilow, It was a privilege to work with a talented professional who's made so many millions of dollars for Clive Davis. Together, we can make many millions more." (Grade - C)