Detroit soul singing booty-magnet and Virgin recording artist Dwele had just been handed the keys to his killer new split-level ranch in Southfield when he had to hit the road to support saxophonist Boney James on a promo tour (Dwele appears on James’ new album). He returned home a couple of weeks ago and hasn’t yet had the chance to settle in and get cozy.

Dwele’s star carriage rolls on a contemporary road built on the classic soul of Motown’s Marvin Gaye and Chicago’s Donny Hathaway. The music pumps in Dwele’s veins, just as Motown does; his mother is a music teacher who sang in a church choir while his father keyed the Hammond B3 organ at the True Love Baptist Church on Detroit’s west side.

Though Dwele’s lovely and spacious new digs offer a lot more space and a garage for his glimmering 2006 Chrysler 300, the new abode requires a bit more upkeep than did his old loft at Jefferson near Mount Elliott. But the down-to-earth gent is unfazed by his new duties as a homeowner. “Once I get these leaves raked, I can sit by the pool,” the songwriter cracks, “and live ‘A Pimp’s Dream.’”