Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
Tenor saxophonist Kirk Whalum really isn't a jazz musician. He's a pop instrumentalist and a good one, much in the style of David Sanborn. Whether leading his own instrumental sessions or playing behind such singers as Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, and Barbra Streisand, Whalum has a sure instinct for melody and a sense of dramatic restraint unknown to a sentimentalist such as Kenny G. On "In This Life," Whalum allows vocals to dominate (eight of 12 tracks) as he pays tribute to his native state of Tennessee and its special blend of Memphis soul and Nashville country. The result is an excellent justification for the much maligned genres of "quiet storm" and "adult contemporary" music. --Geoffrey Himes

Rating: - Outstanding Music
Kirk Whalum has outdone himself on this CD. This is my favorite Jazz CD of all time. A must for any collection.

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Rating: - Best Jazz CD
Great CD a must buy for any Jazz enthusiasts.

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Rating: - from the soul
Of all of Kirk's CDs this is my favorite from beginning to end. This CD is the essence of soul-filled contemporary/popular jazz music without being overproduced or busy. The production values are supurb! Both the music and the lyrics speak to the essence of life in a way that truly give honor to life. The breadth of Kirk's sax is wonderfully matched with Mike Reid's vocals and Matt Rollings piano. The respective "duos" with Larrry Carlton and Dwight Sills could not have been played any better. ... Read More

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Rating: - One of my favorites
This album is probably Kirk's best. This is more adult contemporary jazz than traditional with just a hint of Tennessee thrown in. The big clincher for "In This Life" is the performance of Mike Reid. Mike doesn't have the best or most pure voice in the world, but is a great SINGER and a talented songwriter. Reid really does grown on you as you listen to the CD more and more. "I Turn To You" is a standout, you can tell this man has hurt before. The instrumental cuts on this album are also ... Read More

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Rating: - A lushly produced, multi-faceted dream ride of soul & jazz.
I haven't been able to stop listening to this album for 2 weeks. I feel as though I have found someone's musical diary, revealing the innermost and profound confessions of the least-understood emotion in history -- love. The most surprising fact is that as I listen, and listen again and again, I felt as though when I finished the diary I looked, it was my name that was the one that was on it. Kirk Whalum has his finger on the very pulse of all our deepest thoughts and secrets and translates them ... Read More