OMAR Vinilo y CD

Review: Brit soul legend Omar's new work finds him in full command of his craft, gracefully vaulting through decades of soul, funk and jazz with a sound that feels both grounded in history and refreshingly modern. His collaborations - from Paul Weller's understated elegance to Giggs' streetwise energy - highlight his remarkable versatility, yet it's his own magnetic voice that pulls everything together. The arrangements are lush, rich with organic instrumentation and tinged with Caribbean warmth, offering a sound palette that's as riveting as it is all-consuming. Tracks like 'There's Much Love In The World' reflect the timeless optimism that runs through Omar's music, celebrating unity while reminding us of the power of soulful connection. Despite the star-studded line-up of guests, this release is unmistakably Omar's. His voice - distinctive and effortlessly smooth - remains at the heart of each song, whether he's trading verses with Raheem DeVaughn or harmonising with Ledisi's rich tones. The musical textures on display are just as varied, blending organic rhythms with electronic beats that never overwhelm the track's emotional core. Over time, Omar's musical approach has only become more layered and expansive, yet his unmistakable sound remains intactianchored in the originality that made him a key figure in modern soul and funk.

Review: Omar is one of the UK's most notable soul stars and revered vocalists. His 1997 album This Is Not A Love Song came at the heart of the acid jazz explosion and remains one of its most vital works. It was his fourth album in a career that has produced nine overall and has plenty of his signature grooves, from the jazz flecked 'This Is Not A Love Song' to the -soul stylings of 'Wherever' via his spine tingling cover of the classic 'Golden Brown'. This is a limited and numbered 180 gram audiophile gold & black marbled vinyl reissue on Music on Vinyl with new a insert.

Review: Omar is a real British musical institution and as such it's surprising but also not so shocking, he has recently completed a stint on BBC soap Eastenders. This cheeky 7" is a reissue of the title track from his album The Man and a fine example of his perfectly soulful vocals and mellifluous melodies over nice broken beat and nu jazz sounds. It represents some of his best work and this contemporary take uses the final few bars of the original track as its starting point in a "part 2" style.

Review: Much loved and influential UK soul legend Omar Lyefook - who has been awarded an MBE for his contributions to the music world - put out his seminal 33 track anthology back in 2020. It came on Freestyle Records and now makes it to wax, with all of his classic collaborations incuded as well as his most notable hit, 'There's Nothing Like This,' as well as 'It's So,' the big, floor facing cut that always amps up any club with its bristling drum work taking cues from the sounds Omar heard at The Notting Hill Carnival. There are plenty of lesser known gems form the evergreen star, too, plus exclusive and previously unheard tracks 'Pass It On' ft Terri Walker and 'Long Time Coming.'

Review: One of the UK's most distinctive, consistent and authentic male soul voices returns with his eighth album in 27 years... And it's a serious piece of work. Rich in range, warmth, creativity and a keen eye on the dancefloor, everything about him feels refreshed and energised. Highlights include the Dilla-meets-Iz & Diz style "This Way That Way", the glistening Balearic charm of "Feeds My Mind", the syrupy organs and harmonies on "Insatiable". Winding down with the almost filmic narrative "Grey Clouds", it's one of those records that will have you leaping up, flipping to side A and starting all over again. Feel the love.