By the time they were 14, their natural talents were garnering attention, both in and out of church. The late Jerry Weaver, former lead guitarist for Aretha Franklin and producer for such names as Janet Jackson (debut album 1982,) and New Edition, took a strong interest in them and formed a Gospel group called Meekness.
After years of performing in and around the Gospel circuit, these aspiring young artists had already performed with industry legends Commissioned and Take 6; the group even recorded vocals on Bebe and Cece Winans “Relationships” album, but disbanded in the mid 90’s after minor success.
The knowledge and experience they garnered during this phase allowed them to prepare for bigger and better things. With music as the driving passion, Kendall embarked on a journey to find a creative outlet and headed for London where he lived for nearly two years.
It was there he met producer Ray Hayden who produced the first solo project for Maysa, who introduced him to Incognito front man “Bluey”, who would later contribute to the debut project.
Walking two to three hours each way on the streets of London for short meetings with various record labels, Kendall finally caught the attention of industry veteran Ralph Tee’s label Expansion Records.
“When passion and destiny cross, success is inevitable” states Kendall “there were days I didn’t have enough money to eat and travel on the subway so I would walk everywhere. I was so focused and determined that I didn’t even realize how far I was actually walking everyday”!
It finally all paid off. In 1999 Expansion released the compilation “Soul Stepp’n” which included the duo’s first release entitled “Make You Mine” featuring Kirk Whalum. The song was one of the labels most sought after records in 1999. The momentum and buzz led to a record deal with Expansion and an opportunity for the guys to record a full CD.
Two years later, their debut CD “On Kloud 9” released and took the UK soul fraternity by storm. The album remained on top of the UK soul charts for the majority of 2002.
In 2005 Kloud 9 released their highly anticipated sophomore release ” Yearning To Love”.
They continue their mission to satisfy their fans with their 3rd Expansion album entitled “Enjoy The Ride”.
The lead single from this project is a hot little dancer entitled “Step” which has been lighting up dance floors since the group performed it live at May’s “Luxury Soul Weekender” in the UK. This song is an anthem to the ever-growing steppers movement .
The UK soul fraternity should be gawking for more after hearing the ever so mellow “Appreciation”. Drenched in class and sophistication, this song takes you right down that vintage Isley Brothers; The guys show off some smooth harmonies on the jazzy “All That Matters”. A classy soulful dancer complete with full band and a gorgeous sax bed laid by Donald Hayes (Stevie Wonder, The Whispers, Chaka Khan); “I’m Calling You” is a quiet stormer that should go down well with the smoochers.
Warm chunky keyboards, a melodic old school moog bass and an oh-so-soulful guitar track compliments of Tom Hemby (Brian McKnight, Stephanie Mills, Bebe and CeCe Winans); Other tracks are “Everything That I Need”, easily the most commercial song on the record and will bring in the mainstream R&B crowd and garner airplay on commercial urban radio stations; The retro funky dancer “Loves Just Better With You” with lush harmonies and soulful vocals is screaming for a remix and will keep you dancing all night. For the house scene the track has been remixed by The Realm and added as a bonus track
This album is certain to further establish the twins in the ever-growing soul movement and if they never win another award, never sell a million records or never tour the world over again, one thing is certain and that is that they’re content with what they’ve achieved with this new album and they truly plan to just sit back and “Enjoy The Ride”
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