200 MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS : #51. Continues tomorrow.

THE CAFFE` LATTE`

200

MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS

Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included. This is a personal listing of the albums I enjoy the most to this day.

#51

I LOOK TO YOU: WHITNEY HOUSTON

 [2009] 

At the time of its release, 'I Look To You' was a return for superstar vocalist Whitney Houston. This was a woman whose life had become a tragic soap opera. Her marriage was in the tabloids. There were reports of domestic abuse and drug use. Houston paid a hefty cost, including the damage to her vocal power. The new album was not just a statement from the singer, but it was pitched at the fan base that had missed her. Other claimants to the throne had emerged. Previously, Houston had no peer; her skilful reading of "I Will Always Love You" had proven that. Clive Davis' guidance on this project was an astute asset. The song selections revealed a woman with deeper experience, emerging victorious and reclaiming her throne. There were the big ballads, upbeat dance songs and a nod to her R&B roots. It had been 7 long years since her last studio album, the disappointing 'Just Whitney'. 'I Look To You' was a return to form. Houston recruited contemporary pop talents, including Alicia Keys, Stargate, R. Kelly, Diane Warren, Akon and David Foster. Her upbeat cover of Leon Russell's classic "A Song For You" is ingenious. R. Kelly contributed 3 songs, the best being the powerful title track. Houston co-wrote the album's mighty autobiographical "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" with Warren. This album augured well for the singer's recovery. Its #1 success in both the USA and Britain returned Houston to the top. Sadly, this was to be her final studio album as Houston passed away in 2012.

Highiight tracks: I Look To You; A Song For You & I Didn't Know My Own Strength.