I think people react to my club hits because it makes them feel something," Cox continues of her loyal following in the dance community. "It's more than just a techno beat. I have so many loyal fans across every community. I think when the music continually makes you feel good and creates a memory for you, you hold on to that and want to repeat it. That's a natural human response."

Cox certainly made some musical memories of her own in 2007: After years of planning, conceptualizing, and biding her time, she finally released Destination Moon. The disc is a departure from her dance sound, and marks Cox's first foray into jazz territory as a tribute to the songbook of her own ultimate singing idol: Dinah Washington.

"I first became aware of Dinah was I was growing up, about 8 or 9 years old," says Cox. "My mother played a lot of jazz at the house and 'This Bitter Earth' was the first Dinah song I had ever heard. There was something about the richness and tonality of her voice that I gravitated to. In addition to her music, I also found that there were parts of her life and career that I could relate to, as well. I learned so much about Dinah and myself through making this album.”

Deborah also learned a lot about her fans, who have been supportive of the singer even during her temporary break from the dance floor. "All of my fans have been supportive, and I’ve made new ones by crossing genres,” says Cox. She says that her tribute to Washington was a long time coming and a project that she had been considering for years. "Timing was everything,” she says about the decision to finally take the plunge. "I was so passionate about putting it together that I had to make sure it  made sense. If you don’t have the right people surrounding you and supporting your vision, it just doesn’t work.”

 Well, it certainly did work. Destination Moon debuted at #1 on the iTunes jazz chart, scored a Grammy nomination (Best Engineered Album – Non Classical) and received a warm reception from music critics, many of whom were suspicious of an erstwhile "dance diva" taking on classic jazz tracks.

 "I don't want to be pigeonholed as an R&B singer, or as a club singer,” says Deborah. "I made this album to expose a side of me that the fans haven't seen."

 Of course, she can never leave those other sides behind, as even Cox's club contingency has shown interest in tweaking her jazz record. "There are even several DJs asking to mix a few of the tracks," says Cox. Though she is "always fascinated" by the different remixes of her music, she draws the line at messing with this repertoire. "I loved the response," Cox explains. "But I have too much respect for Dinah to remix any of her original music."

Besides, clubgoers have been able to keep moving on the dance floor with her single "Everybody Dance." But most exciting is Deborah’s awaited return to the recording studio. She’s already begun work on her next album – slated for release in 2008 – that returns her with longtime producers and collaborators like Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Shep Crawford. "I’m really looking forward to this upcoming album,” says Deborah with her eyes fixed on the final stretch of production ahead. "I have a lot of great music right now, and the hard part is narrowing it down to the tracks that will be on the album.”

 While her past, present, and future music plans have established Cox as a preeminent Diva in the eyes of her devout fans, she's resolved to focus on the positive connotations of that title. "I wouldn’t consider myself a Diva by most people’s standards,” she explains. "It seems the general public views a Diva as someone who is difficult to work with and impossible to please.”

 "My definition of a Diva is someone who has risen above the game of the music industry and continued to stay true to themselves. In addition, a true Diva has longevity. I pride myself on always sticking to my truth and making sure that's what comes out through my music. I hope the longevity will continue, as well."

 Finally, a New Year's resolution worth keeping.