Two discs, 36 songs, four new tracks — how can you go wrong? Well, for starters, you include remixes instead of the original versions of 14 of Houston's dance songs, meaning that if you want the original version of "How Will I Know" or "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," you have to buy her 1985 self-titled debut album.

Of course, if you're a Whitney fanatic, you probably already have it, so you're only buying The Greatest Hits for the new songs. "Same Script, Different Cast" features plucked harp strings and piano behind a duet with Deborah Cox, the two singers bemoaning that they chose the same loser for a lover. "Could I Have This Kiss Forever," a duet with Enrique Iglesias, buries Houston's voice in Spanish guitar and synthesized strings.

Such examples demonstrate Houston is only as good as her material and her choices have been spotty; a point the remixes drive home. The original version of "My Love Is Your Love" (RealAudio excerpt) is subtly seductive, while producer Jonathan Peters' house rhythms only distract from Houston's vocals on the remix (RealAudio excerpt). Then again, the Thunderpuss remix of "It's Not Right but It's Okay" offers a solid, club-conscious alternative to the original. Not better, just different.

But if you don't already have all the original albums, remixes — no matter how good — aren't what you want. I guess that just gives the label an excuse to release yet another compilation down the road.