Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Fresh off an extremely rare visit with funk, disco and pop hitmakers Shalamar after over 25 years away from the area, principal member Howard Hewett returned to solo life for a pair of sold out performances at the cozy and comfy City Winery.

Although it was only his Grammy Award-winning voice and a keyboard/piano playing accompanist for “The Second Time Around,” the best of both worlds were nonetheless on display throughout all 90 romantic minutes of the late show.

The front half featured Hewett focusing mainly on personal breakouts of the later 1980s and ’90s, recently collected on the extensive box set “I’m For Real: The Elektra Recordings,” such as the super smooth R&B ballad “Show Me” and the rhythmic bounce of “Stay.”

The track itself, “I’m For Real,” was another mid-tempo groove many would remember, while the older “Once, Twice, Three Times,” newer “U R The One” and jazzy “Crystal Clear” continued showcasing this terrifically-maintained tenor.

As impeccably as they were delivered, a Shalamar set turned it up another notch, especially as Hewett went to “Make That Move” into the crowd and personally show them “Somewhere There’s A Love.”

It became even more of “A Night To Remember” when the headliner jumped up on a chair, prompting the entire room to stand, film and clap along to the perpetual dance floor filler.

Hewett was similarly effective stirring up the quiet storm of “This Is For The Lover In You,” yet another sing-a-long that keeps elevating in status thanks to covers or samples by A-list artist/producer Babyface, jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright and soul siren Ella Mai.

However, the one who helped originated them all quickly turned the focus away from himself and towards heaven above for the gospel-flavored closer “Say Amen,” which was inspiring and emotional enough to make anyone inside the City Winery feel like a true believer.

For additional information on Howard Hewett, visit HowardHewettMusic.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at City Winery include Midnight Sun (Jan. 19-20); Alfonzo Jones & The Universal Sonic Diaspora (Jan. 21); Chrisette Michele (Jan. 22-23); Stephen Kellogg (Jan. 24); Soul Brunch: Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5 (Jan. 26); YahZarah (Jan. 26); Close Enemies featuring Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith (Jan. 28); Mindy Smith (Jan. 30); Keith Washington (Jan. 31); Simone Green Tributes Natalie Cole (Feb. 1); Najee (Feb. 2); Cash Unchained (Feb. 5); Bob Marley’s 80th Birthday Celebration (Feb. 6); Maysa (Feb. 8); Soul Brunch: Valentine’s Soul Duets (Feb. 9); Don’t Call Me White Girl! (Feb. 9); Grateful For Biggie (Feb. 11); Gregory Stewart (Feb. 12); 10,000 Maniacs (Feb. 13-15); WDCB Jazz Brunch (Feb. 16); David Nail (Feb. 16); A Tribute To Jay-Z (Feb. 17); Luis Elizondo (Feb. 18); The Voices Trilogy (Feb. 20); Classic Album Brunch: The Smiths’ “The Queen Is Dead” (Feb. 22); On A Winter’s Night (Feb. 22); Benjamin Clementine (Feb. 23); Vernard Live (Feb. 25); Damon Williams & Friends (Feb. 26); American Tune: Simon, Croce & Taylor (Feb. 27) and Syleena Johnson (Feb. 28- Mar. 1). For additional details, visit CityWinery.com/Chicago.

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