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:::Music Review:::
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Kem - "Album II"
by William Ashanti Hobbs
author and co-owner of Meroen Press
July 2005
This Music Review is spons ored by:
1102 S. Adams St., ste.#5 - Tallahassee, FL 32301
850.222.6940 - www.flavamusic.net
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While on a cruise recently to the Bahamas, I came
across a man on the upper deck. He was despondent over
his Cuban cigar going out. He caught me eyeing his
mild contempt as he relit it and explained his love
for fine cigars. He then drew a parallel with a saying
from someone whose name he couldn’t recall: "Love is
like this Cohiba cigar. If it goes out, you can light
it again but it never tastes quite the same." Such is
the case for Kem’s "Album II."
This Seal-look alike (without the facial scars) still
glides along the warm waters of old-fashioned,
had-a-hard-day-at-work love music. That mature vocal
restraint that separates him from contemporaries
killing themselves with scale climbing American
Idol-esque runs is still there, but the aroma doesn’t
seem to have the same depth. Perhaps, like the debut,
this album also grows on you with time.
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"I Can’t Stop Loving You" is a brilliant choice for
the album’s release in that it truly feels like a
continuation of the debut album. To get to it will
require going through "Find Your Way Back" which is
plausible enough as Kem works in the high register
with a delivery that almost reminds one of Michael
Franks. It doesn’t seem to mature beyond a being a
good idea though, making it little more than a decent
soundtrack for buying stuff you don’t need from Pier
21. "Heaven" fares a little better, perhaps because he
returns back to the timbre of that famous Al Jarreau
waddle.
But "Into You" is Kem far too deep into Al Jarreau
territory (especially when he Scooby-doo-bom-boms).
You begin to imagine Kem strolling down the street
with hands in the pockets of off white slacks while
donned Miami Vice-style with a blazer, muscle shirt,
no socks and moccasins and a low cut,
Republican-looking afro. "Without You" is
contemplative enough, but feels like 15 minutes when
it shouldn’t. "True Love" ups the game with
interesting lyrics, soul searching and wise. Made for
being a sympathetic companion to young, lonely
professionals driving through city rush hour traffic
to work – or happy hour. "Each Other" elevates the
album. It absolutely sparkles with its painful voyage
into the troubles of father/son relationships –
including Kem’s relationship as a child of God the
Father of all. It catches you by surprise as a
pantheon to Marvin Gaye’s "What’s Going On." "You
Might Win" has a Stevie Wonder styled-harmonica that
adds just the spice needed for the cut and "I Get
Lifted" is a far better blend of Kem, the high
register and the uptempo without falling into Al
Jarreau’s full identity.
In reviewing the CD, I’m beginning to appreciate
"Album II" even better. The texture is slowly
developing a personality of its own. Like the man on
the upper deck who went on and smoked his relit
Cohiba, I’ll go on and rock this CD. I’ll love it for
what it is and replay the debut album in regards to
what it isn’t .
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