Jem

Jem - It's amazing

Welsh recording artist Jem will release her sophomore album, Down To Earth, on September 16 on ATO Records. The follow-up to her acclaimed 2004 debut, Down To Earth is a collection of twelve infectious new songs that feature Jem's ethereal vocals, hip-shaking beats, bright melodies and introspective lyrics. "It's Amazing," the first single off the album, is featured on the original soundtrack to the highly anticipated feature film version of the beloved HBO television series Sex And The City.

Jem co-wrote Down To Earth with cohorts old and new including hip-hop producer Jeff Bass, one of the two brothers credited with discovering Eminem, and producer Lester Mendez (Shakira, Santana and Nelly Furtado). The album reflects the singer/songwriters far-ranging influences including Brazilian percussion on the title track, Detroit Gospel choirs, a Stevie Wonder inspired 'Crazy' complete with funky banjo, and the tempestuous Latin-flavored track "I Want You To..." a collaboration originally earmarked for a solo album by turntable whiz Cut Chemist (Ozomatli, Jurassic 5).

On the blistering dance-pop tune "Aciiid!" Jem worked with Greg Kurstin (Kylie Minogue, Lily Allen, The Bird And The Bee) and sings in Japanese, where she enlisted the help of two Japanese-American music fans to tutor her in the phonetic pronunciation. The album also includes a moving collaboration with South African singer-songwriter and poet-activist Vusi Mahlasela on the track "You Will Make It" recalling 9/11, and dealing with the suffering of loss.

Taste-maker Nic Harcourt, Music Director of KCRW 89.9 FM Los Angeles, was one of her earliest supporters and thanks to exposure via TV shows including The O.C., Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, CSI Miami, and Six Feet Under, literally millions of listeners worldwide have heard her music.

LA CHANSON: