Search - Kem :: Album II

Susan L S. (puddington) from LORAIN, OH
Reviewed on 3/26/2007...

A combination of R&B and jazz. Reminds me of a young Al Jarreau.

Smooth Sailing

John L. Hughes, Jr. | Nashville, TN | 05/26/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"KEM is a rarity in millenium r&b music. He writes, arranges and produces his own songs without any help, and his albums have no samples, guest rappers or drum machines chugging in the background. The song titles on his second album are about as original as the ALBUM II title, but Kem is one of the few artists whose music is so hypnotic, those cliches seem new. The best smoothies on this collection include "Heaven", "Into You", "Set You Free" and the inspiring "You Might Win" featuring a harmonica solo by the legendary Stevie Wonder. Only on "I Get Lifted", a cover of the classic George McCRae disco hit, is Kem out of his league. On this song, Kem's smooth arrangement is no match for the original slinky, sexy funk arrangement provided by disco master Harry Wayne Casey (a/k/a KC from KC and The Sunshine Band).



Kem's music features smooth Al Jarreau-like vocals, Sade instrumentation, gorgeous melodies, intoxicating chord changes, and top-notch musicianship. ALBUM II proves that you don't need a big name producer or cameo appearances by every rapper out there to make a great r&b album.

"

MUSIC FOR YOUR SOUL

Brenda Butler | 10/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a collectible...a MUST HAVE!!!



The first time I listened to this R&B/Jazz-infused album, I couldn't believe the magic in Kem's voice - you get lost in it as it touches the depths of your soul...what amazing God-given talent! From falsetto to smooth natural back to falsetto in one breath! So, I ended up listening to it no less than 5 times that night!!! And haven't stopped since...I now have friends totally tuned into Kem and hankering for more!



Every track is wonderful, but my favourites are "Heaven" (check out the guitar work after the bridge - under Kem's vocals), "Set You Free", "I'm in Love", "Each Other", and of course "I Can't Stop Loving You" (the first song I'd ever heard from Kem...which is what motivated me to buy the album). "I'm Into You" is very reminiscent of Al Jarreau's vocal styling. Well, I've just listed more than half the song list and I feel like I want to add the other 5 to my favourites list too :).



I also love that his self-penned lyrics are clean, i.e., none of the sexually explicit, leave-nothing-to-the-imagination stuff that we're inundated with today. You could play this album around children with no worries - it's all about love - sweet, pure and simple. And you don't have to read the insert to figure out what he's singing...Kem's diction is excellent...all you need to do is listen.



I am now a Kem fan for life. He is what a victory story is all about, given his homeless and drug-addicted past. Looking forward to getting the "Kemistry" album and falling in love with that one too, but I can't wait to hear what he's going to hit us with next.



My advice: click on "Add to Cart" NOW!!! You will not regret it! Satisfaction Guaranteed!"