Kem is soulful vocalist with a jazz-inspired, almost cabaret-style sound. I first heard his music way back in 2002 when he had a single called “Love Calls.” I loved the single and his bebop-ish jazzy vocal style, but I honestly was more into hip hop at the time than I was into soulful R&B so I never ended up getting the whole album. In fact, I was so out-of-tune with the neo-soul/R&B/Smooth-as-fuck music scene that I completely missed the fact that he came out with another album in 2005 creatively called “Album II” (the marketing team must have worked hard to come up with that). Then a few months ago, while dropping wifey off to work and listening to the Steve Harvey Show, I heard this wildly unique (in terms of what is usually on the radio) record called “Why would you stay?” and thought to myself who the hell is this? The vocals were incredibly honest and just plain good sounding. No autotune, no layers upon layers of background vocals to mask a weak voice, no special effects or studio tricks, just one dude singing some real life honest lyrics to a woman. I haven’t heard such honesty and clarity in a song in around a decade (I’m serious). I ended up hearing it a few more times, and told myself that I need to peep some more of Kem’s stuff. Then the following week I heard another one of Kem’s joints on the radio, “Share My Life,” and it was a wrap. That song blew my mind. I immediately rushed home, copped the album, and fired up my stereo. GAME OVER.

The genius of Kem is his simplicity. His lyrics are not complex, his melodies and production are rather “basic” (when compared to a Maxwell or Anthony Hamilton) to be fair. He prefers natural instruments to buzz-saw synthesizers & 808 kits, and his voice has little or no processing or enhancements of any kind that I can detect. Now that in itself is not what’s impressive about him, it’s how he puts all those elements together with his incredible voice that makes the album so damn good. His voice is so sincere and pure that the power of his lyrics are literally amplified tenfold. From the album’s opening line, “You take a fined-tooth comb and you get to the heart of me”, to the albums inspirational close-out song “Golden Days”, the listener is in a world of powerful emotions, intimacy, and openness. There are no “gimmicks”, on this album, no “Imma beat the p*ssy up”, “I invented sex”, or any shallow braggadocio of any sort. Nor does this album contain any of the bitterness and resentment towards the opposite sex that plagues many R&B records today (i.e. Keisha Cole, Usher). This record is about TRUE LOVE and INTIMACY, and takes you back to the days where R&B songs actually meant something besides a booty call or a bitter break up. This record represents the few, the proud, the people in functional relationships.

I won’t go into detail song for song, but I will say that Kem’s offering is unbelievably engaging. At times he can almost lull you to sleep with his soft whispering vocals, then shock you back to life with powerful, full-bodied tones. He can go from 0 to 60 in an instant and not blink an eye. While other singers tend to overextend themselves when they try to take it up a notch (i.e. Alicia Keys, Bruno Mars, NeYo), Kem sounds completely effortless and natural on every song. Nothing is forced with Intimacy, Kem takes his time to make sure you absorb and embrace every note.

Kem creates a great album from a musical standpoint, but the real beauty behind “Intimacy” is how freaking much your girl will love it. This record will take you from ashy to classy as soon as you hit play. I’m dead serious, your woman will look at you in a whole different light, especially if she thinks your an uncultured douchebag. Does your woman think you don’t appreciate her enough? Play the Kem record. Is she mad at you for looking at that hot chick’s ass at the mall? Play the Kem record. Is she ready to leave you for the brotha down the block with the good job and the 720 credit score? Play the Kem record. It’s that good. No matter how pissed off at you she gets, some “Intimacy” will calm her nerves and make her remember why she fell in love with your dumbass in the first place. Trust me. Trust me like you’ve never trusted anyone in your life. Now go GIT ER DUN!

Smacked Silly Rating – 10/10 – Classic!

Purchase Kem – Intimacy Album III on Amazon

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Tagged with: dating-tips, music, sex