By Joe Walker
The New Citizens Press
Two for the price of one: that’s what one gets from the music of twins Kendall and Kelvis Duffie, better known as soul-singing duo, Kloud 9.
Their Koch-distributed sophomore album, Yearning 2 Love, is set for broad US release on June 12, but first they’ll set foot in Lansing, performing live at 621 E. Michigan Avenue on April 27.
Born in Moline, Illinois, the Duffie brothers now reside in Nashville, Tennessee, but their music has taken them around the world.
Discovered by late guitarist Jerry Weaver, Kendall and Kelvis began their professional singing careers as members of gospel group, Meekness. The group appeared with such notables as Bebe & Cece Winans, Take 6 and Commissioned before disbanding in the mid 90’s. Kendall ventured to London, meeting producer Ray Hayden and jazz, soul icon, Bluey of super group, Incognito. After passing demos and creative collaborations, Kendall and Kelvis released a single, 1999’s “Make You Mine”, which helped land the Duffies a recording deal with UK-based Expansion Records.
Two years later Expansion released Kloud 9’s full-length debut, On Cloud 9. The album soared to top of the UK charts, spending nearly an entire year at the pinnacle of the soul genre. The duo has toured extensively over seas, and created a huge demand for their music stateside.
With such broadcasts as MTV UK firmly behind them, Kloud 9 looks to continue their success at home in the U.S.A. Promotion for their second album begins in Atlanta, Georgia April 15 at Atlantic Civic Center with The Isley Brothers and Angela Winbush, passing through Michigan, Illinois and Florida before concluding with a return to Atlanta on July 28.
Kloud 9 will play Kalamazoo and Chicago before bringing their act to Lansing on the 27th. R&B artist Big Mel will open the show.
Kloud 9’s single, “Can’t Be Love” is available now. For more information, visit myspace.com/kloud9twin
