I am a huge Whitney fan a feel she is the greatest singer around. That being said, this is not a record that demonstrate her ability as a recording artist. It's a tough call for the other EP and the A&R folks to be honest with this artist about the delivery on the record. Whitney has developed some licks that she is comfortable with that work well live, but don't hold the ear on a record (which is played over and over and over again with any luck). Whose gonna tell Whitney Houston how to sing? Nobody want to say that to her, but everyone know what that woman is capable of - still. I've heard some of her recent live performances and a a pure singer, whether the voice is in fine form or not, no one can touch her. Even Mariah would say that. The real issue here is that she is an artist that delivers when challenged.
Akon's production and this song are off the mark and the challenge for Sony/BMG/Arista remains what what it always is for every Whitney album - the material. When that lady is bored it shows and you can hear it in this recording. Whitney has to work and be challenged otherwise the project will be a disaster. She has everything it takes to be a top selling recording artist again, but I wonder if that's what she want. A the greatest singer has to have the greatest material.