LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Kem
built 659 days ago
The most important thing that happened to Kem during this period of recovery was that he began to get together once again with some of his musical friends. O'Neal performed with his band sometimes, although the keyboard sound heard in most of Kem's music is his own. Saxophonist David McMurray joined Kem in a band and became the group's musical director. Other members of Kem's lineup, which remained remarkably stable over a decade of performing, were guitarist Quentin Baxter, bassist Fred Robinson, and percussionists Andre Driscoll and Wild Bill Curry.
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In these modern times of R&B, Kem is a rarity — singer, songwriter, musician and producer. He employs no samples and yet manages to deliver a consistent, mature fusion of soulful R&B and jazz on his sophomore album, simply titled Album II. Visit Write State of Mind for a review and sound selections (plus a few downloads).... MORE
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While most of the musical world was headed toward the exploitation of electronics, Kem moved in the opposite direction. The Kemistry album, almost alone among recent R&B charting releases, was the creation of live musicians. "That's the key to the magic of this record," McMurray told Ebony. "I think he has something really unique." The group began playing around 1993 and had its first major gig when it won an opening slot for singer MeShell NdegeOcello at the Royal Oak Music Theater outside Detroit.
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Today Kem focuses on playing seamless house sets and producing house with longtime friend Konstantin as Soulaire. Soulaire has a unique sound that combines the best of deep and funky house. With their trademark funky basslines and smooth keys expect to see some exciting projects from these two in the near future. You can hear soulaire's fresh sound on their myspace page.
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Kem was first mentioned as a demesne of the Novgorod posadnik Marfa Boretskaya in 1450, when she donated it to the Solovetsky Monastery (situated in the White Sea several kilometers off shore). In 1657, a wooden fort was erected there.
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Before landing a record deal, Kem was homeless, and supported himself and his family by waiting tables and singing Top 40 cover songs at weddings, according to a press release. He independently financed and released his first album before signing with Motown in 2002.
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Kem