Artist of the Week: Jem

Starting off sophomore release, Down to Earth with Brazilian percussion and soft, yet beautifully seductive vocals, Welsh singer-songwriter Jem catches the listener's attention right off the bat. Track after track, Jem continues to leave her distinct mark, whether it is assisted by Detroit Gospel choirs, hip-shaking beats or introspective lyrics.

Truly an artist to watch, you probably have heard some of Jem's music before. While her songs have been featured on hit television shows like, "The O.C.," "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives," "CSI Miami," and "Six Feet Under" perhaps it is her song, "It's Amazing" that's most familiar — having been included on the Sex and the City movie soundtrack.

"I Want You To..." begins with Spanish dialogue and quickly segues into a catchy song with Latin beats, urging the listener to break out some salsa moves. Next up is "It's Amazing," an inspiring song with uplifting lyrics, "Patience, now, frustration's in the air/And people who don't care/Well it's gonna get you down/And you'll fall, yes, you will hit a wall/But get back on your feet an' you'll be stronger and smarter."

The versatility throughout Down to Earth is incredulous at times. While diversity on an album is a strong attribute to any musician, Jem manages to change things up while staying true to herself. A mix of ballads, danceable Latin tracks and a foreseeable club hit in "Aciiid!" where she sings in Japanese, Jem is truly an artist to pay attention to.

Watch Jem's video for "It's Amazing" below and if you like what you hear, be sure to check her out on MySpace for more music!