Whitney Houston: Back in a Big Way With New Music

whitney Houston

Make no mistake about it, Whitney Houston is back.

Earlier this year, Houston appeared at music mogul Clive Davis' popular Grammy party in Los Angeles and performed a four-song set. Throngs of fans declared that the 45 year-old was finally ready for her music career comeback.

On July 22, shortly after the singer previewed her upcoming album, 'I Look to You,' for music industry insiders in London, she returned stateside, accompanied by Davis, to let some New York big wigs hear what she's been working on.

From Martha Stewart to Dionne Warwick, a who's who of VIP celebrities were present at the Lincoln Center gathering to hear the first collection of new Whitney material since her 2002 'Just Whitney' album. Rumored couple Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys, who produced and wrote one of 'The Bodyguard' star's latest ballads, titled 'A Million Dollar Bill,' were also in attendance, as were L.A. Reid, Vivica A. Fox, Andre Harrell, Barry Weis, Freddie Jackson, Gayle King and the singer's mother, Cissy, and daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

FOLLOW The Newswire On TWITTER

Whitney Houston Pictures

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Jennifer Hudson (R) accepts the Best R&B Album from singer Whitney Houston (L) during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Whitney Houston speaks during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Getty Images

FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2009 file photo, singer Whitney Houston performs at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file)

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Singer Whitney Houston performs at the 2009 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons honoring Clive Davis at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 7, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Getty Images

An visually upbeat Houston told the festive crowd if Davis, her longtime mentor, had not called her to persuade her to record a new album, she intended to "move to an island and open up a food stand." (Check out Whitney's reaction below.)

In total, nine songs were previewed from the set, most of which were produced by some of today's most popular hit makers.

Danja, who produced a bulk of Justin Timberlake's 'FutureSexLoveSounds,' worked on 'Nothing But Love,' while R. Kelly crafted two songs, 'Salute,' and the album's title track, 'I Look to You.' Houston also added an international club feel to Donnie Hathaway's timeless classic 'A Song for You.'

Senegalese singer and pop star Akon produced and appears on 'Like I Never Left.' Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Johntá Austin, who has worked with Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey to name a few, wrote 'Worth It' and 'Call You Tonight,' which Davis says the label is contemplating as the first official single from the project.

Already, 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength,' produced by David Foster, has hit the radio.

Of the new CD, Davis said, "We've been working for the past three years...you have to wait to raise the bar." He was quick to add that not all of the songs were fully mixed and that Houston has an additional two tracks to complete before the album's release date of Sept. 1.

Below is a complete track list of the songs previewed at Whitney Houston's 'I Look to You' New York listening:

*1. 'A Million Dollar Bill' -- written and produced by Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz

*2. 'Nothing But Love' -- produced by Danja

*3. 'Call You Tonight' -- produced and written by Stargate and Johntá Austin

*4. 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength' -- produced by David Foster

*5. 'Like I Never Left' featuring Akon -- produced by Akon

*6. 'Salute' -- written and produced by R. Kelly

*7. 'I Look to You' -- written by R. Kelly

*8. 'Worth It' -- written by Johntá Austin and produced by Eric Hudson

*9. 'A Song for You' -- (Donny Hathaway cover) produced by Stargate