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. ~ Matt Collar