By HW (68.37.219.221) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 06:07 am:

Forgive me if it's already covered... and this is not an ad from a so-alled 'anonymous' tipster hipster who's actually being paid to send breathless-styled emails. I just heard something that may be of interest:

I heard yesterday a new album on Motown. Singer/keyboardist named KEM, album called 'KEMISTRY.' He's soulful, Al Jarreau-influenced, has a real band backing him. Good stuff. "Inside" is the hot track for me.

And he grew up in Detroit, where the album was recorded and mixed. Motown picked up the album and signed him after he'd sold more than a few copies on his own.

Did I just write that? A new album on Motown cut in Detroit?!

I am sure folks on the Forum can tell more. Likely our Sue will post a link to a story I missed.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 11:07 am:

Harry:
Sue had written an article in the Detroit News a few weeks ago regarding Kem's album and the fact that at a couple of stores in Detroit it outsold the Eminem "8 Mile" soundtrack when it was an independent release. This was prior to Kem being picked up by the Motown/Universal gang.

I forgot what thread it was in but I'm sure Sue would re-post the link to the article.

By the way, what is Motown doing to promote Kem's album? Do they need an aggresive indie dude to help sell this CD (hint-hint). Yes, I've heard the album and it's quite good.

Your pal across the street,
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Livonia Ken (136.1.1.33) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 12:56 pm:

I enjoy this CD as well. It actually took me a while to get used to his voice, but I have since decided that that is a good thing. I am sort of curious to see if I can find one of the locally released CDs prior to the Motown deal just to compare the sound. There is an "additional mastering" credit on the new one.

Here are links to stories in the Detroit papers from the last year involving Kem:

Detroit Free Press
Local artist spotlight: Kem Owens
Jazz, R&B and friendly pop hooks

Detroit News
The sounds of romance
Detroit singer Kem sees hard work pay off

Regards,
Ken

By shawn1b (65.56.150.171) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 05:05 pm:

I love the song When Love Calls !I am waiting for the cd to come in the mail as I write this note.Doesn't seem Motown is doing all that much to promote the song but it is getting played on the Soul station here in KC and is very much on the request list .Shawn

By HW (68.37.216.164) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 10:25 pm:

Hope no one minds if I resurrect this thread with the good news that of all of Motown's current artists, their biggest mover on the charts is Detroit's own KEM. His album 'Kemistry' jumps 51 spots on the POP album chart to give him the Billboard 'Pacesetter' banner this week.

Also, "When Love Calls" is the single and doing OK on the R&B side.