EXPANSION RECORDS

We have devoted this page to reviews of product from Expansion

Expansion Click here to Expansion site and order direct

Back to Expansion Records Review Menu - reviewed

Kloud 9 - On Kloud 9 - XECD34

The debut album from Kloud 9 - Kelvis and Kendall Duffie - though they did feature a cut on the earlier Soul Steppin' for Expansion.

Opening with 'Can't stop thinking about you' which is soulful and mellow, good vocal interplay and nice hook. An excellent start. 'If you ever' introduces a jazzier groove, again with a good hook and backing female vocals by Fretrice Ewell.

'Never knew' is the one for the modern soul rooms, getting good plays and a real 'anthemic' quality. Cut in London with UK Soul guru Ray Hayden and his stamp is all over it.

'That's how love should be' - back to Brentwood where the lion's share of this album was cut. A more 'stabbing' vocal to this. Strong lyrics on this and good hook once more.

'Let's not Lose' featuring the wonderful Karen Bernod and her vocal adds something a little extra to this. Not particularly prominent but adds some good variety in this duet (of three!!) Also good horns with Karen also having a hand in the writing. Certainly a grower - this one gets better every time you play it.

'Priority' is slower and the first one falling into the smooth jazz category, although there is plenty more to follow. Excellent lead vocals on this who I take to be Kelvis but I may be wrong. 'Soul Mate' continues this vibe but is not so good.

'Promise' - this features Incognito and produced by 'Bluey', makes this a strong cut and very much in the Incognito style, with strong hook and the excellent horns moving and floating in and out , over and under.

'With Me' is nice mellow and haunting track with Karen Bernod on backing. Easy style and loving lyrics. Continuing in mellow jazz style, on a bit of a going nowhere cut, is  'Make you mine' featuring Kirk Whalum on Sax - old school feel to this. 'Mercy of your love' is rather nice - dirge slow but good vocals.

'A moment' includes a spoken French voice and I'm note sure where this one's coming from or going to! 'Lullaby for KC' is a wasteful instrumental that proves nothing. 'On Kloud 9' seems also to me to be pretty pointless - a moody jazzy interlude . 'Keep me coming around' closes the album on a horn led higher tempo instrumental with vocal chorus.

The brothers, although it seems that Kendall is the predominant one, have come up with an excellently written, produced and performed album that will satisfy the adult soul, smooth jazz audience with some R'n'B style vocals. (although there are some bits that can be left out - for me loses it's way three quarters in). There are also one or two dancefloor items that will keep the groovers happy