Album II

Kem

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 17, 2005)
• Original Release Date: May 10, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B0007PALI4
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (175 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,738 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Kem plays his soul-and-jazz-juiced R&B like a man who has lived through more than most of us, and indeed he has: As fans who have followed the back story since his 2003 debut, Kemistry, know, he's an artist who was once reduced to sleeping on Detroit park benches while battling addiction. With the release of Album II, though, the sad stories need circulate no longer—all that's required to get swept up, off, and away by these tracks is a taste for solid R&B minus the hip-hop sideshow. Coaxing vocal cords more pliable than the face of Jim Carey into unexpected directions, the Chaka Khan sound-alike—who also occasionally ventures into George Benson territory—showers tenderness over each of these songs, sauntering into some notes with suave sophistication and sneaking up on others. Though "I Can't Stop Lovin' You" is the song throwing sparks amongst the quiet storm crowd, check his stretchy tenor on "Into You" and "I'm in Love," both so deeply felt they'll send the lovelorn swooning. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Smooth Sailing, May 26, 2005

By	John L. Hughes, Jr. "hughes_jr" (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MUSIC FOR YOUR SOUL, October 18, 2005

By	Brenda Butler - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kem Is The 1, July 11, 2005

By	I Am (Oakland, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

I have always been a huge fan of any and all types of music, but it seems that in the past 5 or 6 years R&B and Hip Hop has taken a turn for th absolute worst. That is why I am so happy that Kem released his sophmore album. He is a true artist and hopefully he will continue to keep making great music. This album (like "Kemistry") is AMAZING. There are no bad tracks on either one of Kem's CDs. A MUST HAVE for any music lover.