Whitney Houston made a comeback on Friday with the release of her cover of Steve Winwood’s 1986 hit “Higher Love.”
It is the first new music from Houston, who died in 2012 at 48, since 2009’s “I Look To You.”
The track was produced by Kygo. “I was honoured when the Whitney Houston estate reached out and presented me with the opportunity to work with one of the greatest female vocalists of all time,” he said, in a release. “I reworked the song from scratch and am really happy with how it turned out!”
Houston’s recording of “Higher Love” was intended for her third album I’m Your Baby Tonight but the label wanted her to focus more on R&B material. The song was only released as a bonus cut in Japan.
“The resurgence of this precious archival performance will carry Whitney’s musical legacy on to a younger generation for years to come,” said Pat Houston, who represents the singer’s estate, in a release. “Everyone should be ready to dance to this uplifting and inspiring record – a testament to Kygo’s incredible talent, and a reminder of why we fell in love with Whitney from the very beginning!”
Listen to Houston’s “Higher Love” below: