He is your average dude, well, at least if you saw him on the street. But there is nothing average about the US neo-soul singer Kem (pictured) when it comes to music.

With three mellow albums under his belt, two of them gold, Kem is one of the best lovesmiths around. His third album, Intimacy: Album III, was released late last year and its sales went through the roof, with SA being the second territory in the world with the most sales.

Perhaps it is this kind of love that will make Kem leave the US to pay us a visit next month. The man took time out to chat to Tonight about his upcoming tour to the country.

“I know there is a lot of love for my music in South Africa,” he said. “I don’t take it for granted anywhere, not even in the States. It is a welcome surprise.”

The Love Calls singer has been to the country before, but feels that he needs to visit us as many times as possible. This tour is perfect for him and the fans because it is riding on the success of his most recent album.

“It will be special in the sense that we don’t get to perform there often,” he pointed out. “Wherever we are, we want to give our best. I think we will have to do more of the older material than we do in the States.”

And that’s a star musician right there. Old tunes such as I Can’t Stop Loving You and Find Your Way (Back In My Life) will be the best place to stay as a wider net of fans know the songs. This is not to say the latest album is any different, it is just that fans sometimes take time to learn the lyrics, so the more common the playlist, the better.

Kem sings neo-soul, a sub-section of the R&B and soul genre. With hip hop and dance music seemingly taking over the world, you can only wonder: is there any room for artists such as him? Although they are an endangered species, Kem is not worried in the least.

“I’ve been doing this for 10 years now. In today’s market that’s a lifetime, so I’m not worried,” he said.

Some will cry out “Maxwell”, while others think Musiq is the current “It” guy in the neo-soul world, but you can’t ignore Kem’s craft.

Not only is he a singer, but he writes most of his music, too.

One thing you will find interesting is how he makes the overdone subject of love appear refreshing and appealing.

“All of my records are about relationships. Whether with ourselves, our lovers or God, life is about relationships and trying to get better at giving love. The recording process is a lot of work. I am very meticulous. The best part of making Intimacy was turning it in to the record label on my birthday – July 23, 2010,” he said.

So if a talented man such as Kem makes music SA loves so much, what does he listen to when he is relaxing?

“I listen to a lot of stuff. Adele, Sting, Jill Scott, Michael Jackson, Pat Methany, Prince, Lenny Kravitz. I just like good music,” he said.

• Kem will be performing in Durban on March 3 at the ICC and Joburg on March 4 at the Standard Bank Arena. Tickets are available from Computicket online at www.computicket.com or call 0861 915 8000.