After such great recordings like Unconditional and Colors, Kirk Whalum has laid done another great CD that should be in every jazz lover's collection. Again, every song is a classic and some new remakes of all wonders like the Wave and Afterthought have even gotten better than the best they were at the time. Don't miss this CD of guaranteed listening enjoyment!

I have followed Kirk's career since his days in Houston in the late 70's and early 80's. Some of these original songs were his bread and butter in what used to be a hot Houston Jazz club scene. "Courtney", "Ruby, Ruby, Ruby", "Glow"? Man, I remember those songs like I wrote 'em. There's one tune I wish he had put in this compilation. It was a song he wrote called, "Strike Four". WOW! That song was INCREDIBLE! Kirk's a great writer. I think that's why his songs have lived this long...and probably why I remember them so vividly. He's moved on, and I'm still in Houston pining for the days of the jazz scene that made me glad I lived here. Kirk was a big part of that. "Roundtrip" is literally that. It begins with "Courtney" (one of his 80's jazz club hits) and moves through to brand new tunes, and ultimately back to "Afterthought" (the hit off his first national CD release in 1986). See? A roundtrip back to where it all began. I get it, Kirk. Good stuff, Brother. Keep doing it like only YOU do it. We're listening.