A very familiar voice has made its way back onto radio stations. Whitney Houston, who passed away seven years ago, is the featured singer on Kygo‘s new song, ‘Higher Love‘, released early this morning.
This posthumous recording dates back to Tokyo in 1990 and is a reprise of Steve Winwood‘s in 1986. It was meant to feature on the album “I’m Your Baby Tonight“, only available on the Japanese edition.
The release had been teased upon by her producer, Clive Davis, on Instagram. Houston’s voice is heartwarming to the ear, with the occasional chorus joining her later in the song. Kygo himself is no stranger to the borrowing of famous voices – most notably, recording his own version of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Sexual Healing‘ in 2015.
The song has garnered acclaims from the music community and both fan bases. Whitney Houston‘s voice has not aged in the slightest, but echoes with remarkable clarity. The power of her voice remains undiminished.
This is both a song for the summer and a worthy homage to a legend. Despite the fears some might have had, as to the more modern approach to the rawness and majesty associated with Whitney Houston, this is a definite success. Kygo does not betray his signature tropical house sound while preserving the vintage Houston of the recording.
A must-add to any July playlist.
