AMG Review of Into My Soul

Matt Collar
All Music Guide

Featuring an organic mix of straightforward R&B, Into My Soul finds alto saxophonist Kirk Whalum on what is ostensibly his Memphis album. Whalum -- a Memphis native -- does evince a Stax-style soulfulness, but he keeps the arrangements and his own playing mild and light despite the album's more natural acoustic production style. The title track, a funky midtempo ballad that recalls the simple elegance of Grover Washington, Jr., is a standout. Similarly, the funky "Hoddamile (Hot or Mild)" gets by nicely with a catchy melody and guest spots by trumpeter Rick Braun and guitarist Norman Brown. And the raw and soulful "That's All Right" -- featuring vocals by Kevin Whalum -- turns the Arthur Crudup-penned Elvis classic into a raw Tony! Toni! Toné!-meets-Sam Cooke rave-up. The rest of Into My Soul is pleasant, but falls short of a Whalum smooth jazz masterpiece.