(January 27, 2025) They are two longtime SoulTracks favorites, and it is a special treat to hear them together. Howard Hewett first came into our lives in the late 70s as the lead tenor vocalist for Shalamar, and he continued on in the 80s and beyond with a great solo career. And the Duffie brothers, Kelvis and Kendall, who constitute the songwriting, production and performing group Kloud 9, were the winners of Duo or Group of the Year in our first live SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Awards in 2007.
Hewett has always possessed one of the irresistible voices of soul, with an innate ability to wrap his expressive tenor around a song. And Kloud 9 has long been known for creating lushly sweetened tunes that are equally tough to resist. Both acts are at their best on the new single “Falling In Love,” a previously unreleased track that appears on the new 35 track Expansion Records compilation, Luxury Soul 2025.
Expansion is known for finding marvelous tracks for its annual compilation and the new feels like another winner, with great contributions by Maysa, Will Downing, Hil St. Soul and more. And “Falling In Love” is a great introduction to the project that will get SoulTrackers seeking more. Check it out below.
By Chris Rizik
