By HW (68.37.216.164) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 10:29 pm:

Added this to the old thread but it stayed in the Archive...

...and this is not a press release, just true.

Motown's hottest act this week is Detroit's own KEM, whose album 'Kemistry' jumps 51 spots on the POP CHART to get this week's Billboard 'Pacesetter' award.

"When Love Calls," which a previous post-er on the SDF mentioned as a fave, is the single oin the R&B chart.

By 1Wicked (24.126.64.120) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 03:09 am:

"Kemistry" is a great project and Kem's star is rising fast. I bought the CD based on the single (played locally on Stevie's KJLH)...but had no idea of the jazz "overtones" throughout the CD. There is a similarity in Kem's voice to another great jazz vocalist...but I think Kem is actually better.

By WaltBaby (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 10:56 am:

I must give a tip of the hat to Kedar Massenburg and his A&R staff on this signing. Future signings of this nature could return Motown to the glorious days of the past.

By Handsome (170.118.157.134) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 11:01 am:

I have this CD, it is good. I'm also glad Kedar & Motown picked this young man up.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 11:03 am:

Kudos should go to KEM as well. Prior to Motown picking up the album, Kem released this album independently in his native Detroit, where it became a local best-seller.

Our own Susan Whithall wrote an article about Kem and the URL is available through the SD Archvies.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By HW (65.116.80.10) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 03:41 pm:

1Wicked - Kem's voice shows the influence of Al Jarreau. I'm sure that's who you were thinking of.

By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.153) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 04:08 pm:

Does anyone have the independently released version? I would be interested in how it sounds compared to the current Motown/UMG version which carries an "additional mastering" credit.

The above is just me being curious/anal retentive, though. Don't hesitate to pick up the CD, especially while it is being sold at the "developing artist" price point of around $10 at a lot of retailers.

Regards,
Ken