Kirk Whalum – Ultimate Kirk Whalum

From Mosaic Contemporary website:
"From the moment that master keyboardist Bob James first heard Kirk Whalum opening up for him in Houston in 1984, it was clear that the brilliantly soulful saxophonist would become a major force in the music industry. Since that time, his playing has been featured on some of the most successful recordings of the past twenty years, including singles by Luther Vandross, Al Jarreau, Quincy Jones, and most notably Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You". In addition, he has regularly collaborated with the most important instrumental artists, including George Benson, George Duke, Larry Carlton, Norman Brown, Rick Braun, and of course Bob James.

But it has been through his own recordings that Whalum has established himself alongside David Sanborn and Grover Washington, Jr. as one of the three most influential saxophonists in Contemporary Jazz.

An ordained minister, Whalum can't help but infuse his playing with the deepest sense of spiritual gospel soul. As much as any instrumentalist performing today, his playing rewards the listener with the privilege of feeling the direct connection between his pure emotion and the deeply moving sound of his instrument.

Featuring several #1 Smooth Jazz singles ("My All", "Now 'til Forever", etc) in addition to rousing soul gospel ("All I Need") and up through "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" featuring the vocals of American Idol star Melinda Doolittle from his latest chart-topping Babyface Songbook project, Ultimate Kirk Whalum is a tour de force of contemporary saxophone, making a case for Kirk Whalum as one of the most important artists of his generation."