Omar:Soul Singer

In the beginning of Omar’s professional recording career he was a hot new London underground soul singer with a song on his father’s Kongo label, “Mr.Postman/You And Me.” A decade plus and six albums to date Omar is still a hot new underground singer to most of the world. His rich layered soul is shared among his fans like a vintage for hipsters. “There’s Nothing Like This” was a hit in his homeland and established him as the Father of Nu British Soul. Breezy falsetto weaved into curtains of copacectic funk samples, carefree courtship, strings, organs and gentle romance give all of his songs the feeling of a spring day. Somewhere within the buffered masculinities of Luther, Ron Isley and Stevie a preference for writing songs softly approaching romance gives Omar’s music love optimism. His self-contained sound has attracted soul notables on both sides of the Atlantic. Common’s musically daring Electric Circus secured a guest appearance from the singer who also collaborated with eminent soulsters David Frank, Lamont Dozier and Leon Ware.

Contemporary artists Usher, Erykah Badu, Angie Stone and India.Arie all acknowledge the chi of Omar’s maverick soul. The dreamy “Lullaby” duet with Syreeta Wright is one of the biggest lovesong secrets to miss traditional quiet storm radio. Wright’s ex-husband Stevie Wonder became an admirer of Omar’s soon after the release of his second album Music. A promise to write Omar a song was made good in 2004 when Wonder unexpectedly arrived in the UK ready to record within two hours notice. “Feeling You” is a laidback jam of loose ad-libs, neat flaming guitars and methodical keyboards descended from memories of Booker T. and The MG’s.
Fellowship between the two musicians produced a career milestone for Omar’s sixth album Sing. As a boy growing up in London he idolized Wonder and working with him was a dream come true. However, groove-oriented songs of simple affection are not chart-attracting on either side of the water. Melody based anthems, easy-to-remember hooks and guest-starring rappers dominate the current palette of R and B. Artists unwilling to unconditionally commit music-making to these fleeting conventions usually miss the bigger opportunities to promote their music. VH1 Soul and the internet become the standard promotional outlets for these pop-shunning R and B’ers. These artists learn by necessity how important it is to tour and reach fans directly in venues.

Omar’s consistently eclectic muse grounded in ’70s soul and funk has yet to compromise itself and endears a fanbase of stringent loyalty that keeps him undaunted by superstardom. His last album Best By Far was lead by an interest in Latin jazz and soundtracks. Smoky bits of bossa nova and brisk tempos from Best are absent on Sing which seizes lowrider bass and club beats. The acknowledgement of several industry folk and music buffs prompts asking “How would Omar’s music and career fare if were a 50 spin-a-day type guy with major video rotation? Fans wonder because they want the elite-feeling boast of being an Omar insider before the rest of the world. But what really spurs the questions about the singer’s commercial potential is the feeling of overdue and long deserved recognition. Luckily for the maker of personalized funk soul formulas the establishment stamp is not an unfufilled need; he is content to sound off independently for those who hear him. World tours provide the evidence of his reach with audiences who do not speak English but sing Omar. As new fans join the old Omar’s creative measures remain adventurous and centered around a love of American soul.

What were you trying to do with Sing?

It’s part of my evolution the road I’m on to make music and just reaching out to people again because the fans are looking for some more new stuff to come along It’s about time I gave them something fresh also maybe we can bring some new people on board some newer fans.

Why did you start your own label?

Necessity of having to retain control of the business aspect of it making sure that we pick the right people to take hold of the album around the world. I’ve experienced too much of people taking the album and just giving it to people who really aren’t interested in the music and therefore it just kind of gets lost. This time it’s a much clearer thing we have to work with. It’s a little bit more work but still at the end of the day at least you know it’s hard work that’s going to make a success.

Are you happy with the way things are going on the business end so far?

So far I mean I’ve still got some cobwebs I’ve got to sort out but on a whole I can say I’m quite happy.

What does having the studio in the garden bring to the music?

It’s easier when it comes to me needing to go somewhere to record something I can just go step out into the garden no problem to where I have to book a studio or come up with the funds to pay the studio or anything like that That’s the beautiful thing about it.

Does it give a certain vibe to what you’re doing since it’s right there in your home?

Not really the vibe’s from within where I get to record is kind of inconsequential.

On the last album you were into soundtracks and Latin Jazz, what inspired you for Sing?

Sing was a bit more like the funky elements a bit of hip-hop as well. I just wanted stuff that you could play in the club cause that’s one thing I remember having a conversation with some of my friends and we were saying we don’t hear enough of our stuff in the club that was one driving force there.

What keeps you going after all this time?

The love from the fans people coming up to me in any country I get recognized for my music and they tell me to keep up the good work. Just a simple thing like that can keep me going you know what I mean? makes me think I’m doing the right thing.

You’ve worked with some legendary people and survived a lot in the industry. How have you managed to maintain your own distinct sound regardless of what is going on around you?

Cause I’m stubborn like that really. I think it’s just within me to make music that way to keep on moving and being creative and trying different ways to make music. I can’t do anything else but do it that way.So I’ve just managed to maintain it. I’ve been blessed I can still keep doing it like that. If I can keep on doing it like that for years to come.

Do you ever feel frustration at the lack of mainstream fame?

Not anymore I’m a big boy now from when I first started. It’s a whole different agenda now you just get used to the fact that some people are just not into the thing and you go where they are into your thing. Like I said I get shown enough love around the world regardless of whether I’m going to get heavy radio play or promotions. The beautiful thing is now at the moment with technology I can maintain that with my website Omarmusic.net but also touring, merchandise and I can sidestep over the normal channels which people need to promote their music. I can also back it up with doing various other things.

I read where you recently learned you have an audience in Indonesia.
Is anywhere on the planet where you have a larger fanbase than any other place?

I have a great fanbase in Japan, I just came from Paris sold-out shows so like Europe is quite fruitful for me but I’m trying to tap into the American market even bigger so but not a big stardom just add some more fans to the book.

I noticed that you sampled “Last Request” before “Lay It Down” on this album? were you trying to say something with that?

My brother found the beat and he made the beat up using the song and I just thought well maybe that’s a good way to bring the song in is to play the original thing in there so it fits together nicely. It’s an anti-gun song.

I thought maybe you were trying to say that was the old me and this is the new but that’s not what you meant at all. *laughs*

What was it like working with Stevie Wonder?

That’s a dream come true you know because that’s a man I’ve been idolizing since I was a kid. To be able to end up in the studio with him and he didn’t disappoint because he got on the drums he got on the keyboards singing, showboating basically which is what I was hoping for and to get two songs written by him for me is another dream come true fantastic.

What did the other song sound like?

The other song was a little less live it was more a bit more like what he would’ve done like his last album that kind of sound. But we picked this one because it sounded more like old school Stevie for me and that was what I was trying to achieve.

Do you think we might get lucky one day hear that outtake in a collection or you’re going to keep that close to the chest?

Maybe I’m going to keep that one close to the chest right now.

Who else do you want to work with?

I’m putting the APB out on Bill Withers I’d like to find out where he’s at or Bobby Womack he’s another one I’d like to work with. And Faith Evans I’ve got tunes that I think she would like.

What is the UK soul scene like now? Anyone in particular you really like?

People like Terri Walker, kid called Lee Ryan, Nate James Mica Paris is like for me the queen of UK soul with a voice like that for me of the female vocalists.

She’s on For Pleasure.

Yes. Right now she’s presenting shows she’s on Strictly Come Dancing and she’s on a fashion makeover show so she’s doing that as well.

You think you might do something else with her in the future?

Possibly we’ve talked about it a couple of years back we talked about getting back in the studio because we did a song together called “I Should’ve Have Known” But we haven’t worked since then we mgiht have to renew those working ethics.

How did Angie Stone get on two of the songs?

She called me up and came down to the studio out of the blue and I played a couple of tracks and she loved them both and we just kept the vibe for each of them. So I wasn’t going to argue with that. The vibe she put down suited the tracks.

Besides singing what do you like to do for fun?

I don’t think I can put that in your publication *laughs* Just say he likes to kick back!

Omar Overview

There’s Nothing Like This

The Omar foundation of classic doo-wop phrasing, curly funk keyboards and whatever Afro-diasporic rhythm he chooses to play with on top of the rest. An earthy bassline with the movement of a sunset and Omar’s vulnerable vocals make “There’s Nothing Like This” a hit.

Music


The Omar songwriting structure develops greater definition. Duet with Carleen Anderson and title song unveil his knack for picking interesting female singers and nailing a funk melody.

For Pleasure

Fully confident Omar hits his stride on this jewel. Acoustic-stringed nightfall sets inside the favored “Little Boy.”Sheer chocolate heated and made audible thanks to a collaboration with Mica Paris, “Confection.”

This Is Not A Love Song

Considered the magnum opus of the collection for its beautiful “Lullaby” duet, royal sound and lovely lead song of Wes Montgomery style picking, slanted horns, bubbly synthesizer and the light touch of a female songbird. A pure Brooklyn infusion from ‘Ol Dirty Bastard compliments the “Say Nothin’” remix.

Best By Far


Funk symphony of celebration horns, snapshots of Memphis soul and Latin rhythms. Erykah Badu joins Omar for a tick-tocky version of the throwback jam “Be Thankful For What You Got.”


Check out Omar on the net www.omarmusic.net