This past week marked two years since Whitney Houston‘s death, heartbreak that continues to hit me every couple of weeks (February 11 also happens to be my birthday, so the occasions are forever intertwined). But there’s no taking away Whitney’s music, and now New York-based vocalist Xavier, most recently heard and seen contributing to Del Marquis’ Slow Knights project, has covered Whitney Houston’s “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay.”

“This Valentine’s Day marks TEN years that I’ve been recording a free song for Valentine’s Day,” Xavier writes on his website. This year’s tune is a cover of Whitney Houston’s “It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay” done world music style, produced by Grammy winner Jeremy Mage and myself. It features some of New York City’s finest musicians, including some who played on the original My Love Is Your Love album the song is taken from. Two very talented La Guardia High School seniors, Taylor Benitez and Christian Quiles (courtesy of Music Unites), and Bridget Barkan (Scissor Sisters, Slow Knights) are hollering on backing vocals.”

Congratulations, Xavier and team, for creating what is currently the best cover of “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay” out there. (Sorry, Chvrches.) Gonna be a tall order to top this one anytime soon.

If you like Xavier’s take on “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay,” a song he succinctly describes as “about getting cussed out and tossed out,” consider throwing a few bucks his way for the production costs. Making something this good doesn’t come cheaply.

Free download of Xavier – “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay” (Whitney Houston) cover via SoundCloud and donate via the player above.