QUICK TAKES - June 5, 2009

It’s been six years since pop’s preeminent diva, Whitney Houston, last set foot in a recording studio. But according to a release issued by her record label Arista on Thursday, “The wait is over.” Houston will release an as-yet untitled new album Sept. 1.

Exploding into the public consciousness with her self-titled debut LP in 1985, Houston has recorded such era-defining smash hits as “Saving All My Love for You” and “I Will Always Love You.” And her singles, albums and videos have combined to sell more than 170 million copies worldwide. In the last decade, however, Houston became notorious for her erratic behavior chronicled on the reality show focused around her ex-husband, “Being Bobby Brown.”

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Chris Lee