Kem

Universal Motown Records singer-songwriter-producer KEM has announced that he will release his third album, Intimacy, preceded by a series of online promotional videos that will reintroduce him to the marketplace by offering an intimate preview of what’s to come. The new CD is the Detroit native’s long awaited follow-up to his critically acclaimed and certified gold 2005 disc, KEM Album II.

Intimacy was inspired by KEM’s deeply personal lessons on intimacy and it will allow fans to experience him unlike ever before musically, lyrically, and visually. For the first time in his career, KEM will lay all of his cards on the table and grant fans the opportunity to get up close and personal while delivering a 10-song collection of timeless music for the grown and sexy.

Intimacy features vocal and production collaborations with the likes of Grammy-winning soul diva Jill Scott and the late Motown legend David J. Van dePitt, who famously produced Marvin Gaye’s 1971 masterpiece, What’s Going On. Scott delivers enchanting verses of spoken word in “Golden Days,” while Van dePitt arranged the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s string section on the first single, a gorgeous ballad called “Why Would You Stay.” Los Angeles producer Rex Rideout (Luther Vandross, Angie Stone) also joined KEM in the studio to help round out the Intimacy listening experience. The result is a richer sound buttressed by classical instruments and a greater range of musical styles that will certainly expand KEM’s audience by garnering success across multiple formats, including pop, R&B, and urban adult contemporary.

The first online video to be released offers a revealing behind the scenes look of the making of a promotional commercial for the new album that was filmed at the MGM Grand in Detroit. The second clip will be the actual promotional commercial, which depicts a night in the life of KEM, partying with friends at Detroit’s MGM Grand and breaking out in an impromptu performance at the club. It serves as a formal introduction of the new album and KEM’s understanding of intimacy. “The moment you realize you’re not alone is your finest hour,” he says at the start of the commercial. “When you can finally allow yourself to be seen as you truly are—that’s what intimacy is to me.”

Smooth grooves, powerful vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and just plain feel-good music best describe KEM’s instantly recognizable sound. In 2002, the self-taught musician wrote and produced his critically acclaimed debut solo album, Kemistry, which spawned the hit single “Love Calls.” The classic track went on to break records for longevity on the Urban A/C chart while the disc achieved gold-plus status and solidified KEM’s position as a leading man in the world of jazz-influenced R&B music. The success of his gold certified follow-up CD, 2005’s KEM Album II—which debuted at an impressive No. 5 on Billboard’s all-important Top 200 Chart—proved KEM’s staying power in the very competitive world of R&B.

Now with the release of Intimacy, KEM is opening up to reveal the elusive man behind the voice. In fact, working on this project not only led KEM, a proud father of two daughters who self-produced his first two albums, to a deeper understanding of the true meaning of intimacy, but it also helped him achieve a greater appreciation for the significance of intimacy in all aspects of his life beyond romantic relationships. “I’ve spent the past five years working on this project in the midst of many personal trials, which caused me to pause and take a more introspective look at myself, my family relationships, my walk with God, and even how I relate to my music,” said KEM. “What I found was that giving each more time and attention is essential.”