Sounding off. . - The Best in Recorded Music - sound recording review

Ebony, May, 2003 by Lynn Norment

Smooth-voiced KEM brings a refreshing, soulful sound to the music scene with his debut Kemistry (Motown). The Detroit-reared, self-taught musician (who also writes and produces) offers 10 emotionally rich tracks that boast live musicians and heartfelt lyrics about love, loss and redemption. Among the standouts are the magnetic "Love Calls," the percolating, Al Jarreau-flavored "Matter of Time," the sexy "Miss You" spiced with spoken word, and the swinging "I'm Missin' Your Love." Kem's music convincingly illus trates his vision that "soul music is for the mind, body and spirit."

VICKIE WINANS inspires foot-stomping and hand-clapping with Bringing It All Together (Verity), especially with the lead song "Shake Yourself Loose" and "Happy and You Know It," a children's song she takes to another level. But the gospel diva also grabs the heart with touching songs like "I Promise," "Know God" and "Superman," all written and produced by her son, Marvin (Coconut) Winans Jr.