Even though Thelma Houston and the disco era seem to be symbiotic, there are other facets to this talented lady.

For instance, did you know Houston was the first female solo artist at Motown to win a Grammy? Or that she’s currently promoting a new album, A Woman’s Touch? How about the fact that Houston has been a recording artist for close to four decades, starting with her first album, Sunshower in 1969? She also has quite a few TV and film roles on her resume.

Houston dished on her favorite memory of being part of the disco era – when her single “Don’t Leave Me This Way” hit No. 1.

“I guess having a hit record, that was a real good memory,” she said, laughing. “Well, for me it was a lot of fun it was a younger time. But, I think that people were very concerned with very important issues, political issues, such as the war. That era, I think, people were really trying to be more concerned. It wasn’t so me, me, I, I – that’s what I remember most about it, how supportive people were about each other.”

Houston’s compassion is evident in her work with HIV/AIDS related causes. In 2003, West Hollywood even recognized Jan. 29 as a day in Houston’s honor for her efforts in raising funds and awareness for HIV/AIDS education and research.

Fast forward some 30 years from her initial success to Houston’s latest album, A Woman’s Touch, which covers materials previously recorded by the likes of Marvin Gaye, Sting, Luther Vandross, and even an affirmation of her days as a disco diva with her rendition of Sylvester’s “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real).” The album is a reminder of Houston’s musical star power.

And for Houston the time seemed right to record. The desire to release the album started at an almost grassroots level.

“Originally the idea was to do a CD I could sell at my concerts,” she said. “Because I don’t do just all of my material. That would be boring for me and boring for everyone else listening to it. So I like to mix it up, and I am often asked if a particular song I was doing in my show if I had recorded it.

“For instance, the Sylvester medley, I have been doing that as an opener for five or six years. Then as we were getting more into it, my agent said, ‘You know what? I think we might be able to get a record deal from this.’”

Although Houston has done isolated projects during the years, such as providing back up vocals for Patti LaBelle, this is her first solo studio album in 17 years, and she discussed what it is like stepping back into the spotlight.

“It wasn’t like, ‘Oh My God, this is a microphone?’” she said. “But for me this time, it was much more relaxed, because I was doing it at my leisure. And, there was no big push or anything to deal with, other than let’s go in today and cut. I still wanted to do a great job with songs I really love and I wanted to do the people that had originally recorded them justice.”