the
classically trained singer and musician of a Chinese Jamaican father and Indian
mother had arrived.
The image was compelling. Sartorially distinctive – a high top
fade haircut which has since evolved into locks, he posed as many questions
as he answered, Soul Man? Reggae Man? Jazz Head? – well
all of these and then some.
By 1991 the major labels could resist no longer and Omar, sensing an outlet
for his wider aspirations, said yes to a proposal of marriage from Giles Peterson’s
‘Talkin’ Loud’ label. The liaison produced a fine
album in the 1992 set ‘Music’. The album for all its musical
excellence stalled at the starting gate and the relationship with ‘Talkin’
Loud’ soured. “The people who had my interests at heart
weren’t the people who were controlling the budget. What matters
in getting your record out there is the dollars”.
Classically trained (Omar plays pretty much everything!), "BEST BY FAR" showcases
Omar's vision of mixing soul with classical, funk and jazz arrangements, "I've
never got over the beauty of string arrangements - I've always dreamed of
being able to combine them with the spiritual depth of soul music."
The first single, "Something Real" was Omar at his ‘up-tempo’
finest and a dynamic introduction to the new album. "In The Morning" recasts
John Barry's theme from Midnight Cowboy. Another gem is a gorgeous re-working
of the William De Vaughn penned "Be Thankful" alongside Erykah Badu. Omar
also recorded "Be Thankful" with Angie Stone. As well as the retro-funky
"Come On" which features UK soul-girl Kele Le Roc.
Omar has always been hailed as "the originator of nu-classic soul". A decade
on and Omar is still the best by far.
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