OMAR “I heard quotes from people like Jill Scott and Players-influenced love ballad, There’s Nothing Corinne Bailey Rae talking about how disgust- Like This, led to his signing to Gilles Peterson’s ing they thought it was to no longer include Talkin’ Loud label. Omar released two albums, the voice of soul the soul category, so I added my voice along- the first a re-working of his Kongo debut al- side them. As far as I’m concerned, if you’re bum There’s nothing like this (released when – by Fiona McKinson – from overseas, you should just get an interna- he was 22) for the wider audience, the second, tional award not be winning in our categories. Music released in 1992, and which was more They’ve got enough awards.” orchestral, demonstrating his maturity. In September The Voice reported MOBO Three labels and four albums later, Omar founder Kanya King saying, “What is soul has worked with an array of British and inter- music but RnB, and gospel? And we already national talent including the legendary former have those categories. But Omar disagrees - Motown producers Leon Ware and Lamont “MOBO’s can’t put Neyo in the same category Dozier. Collaborations include one of his all- as my music. They’re not paying attention to time favourite female vocalists, Syreeta Wright – what people are saying - stop boiling down Stevie Wonder’s ex wife, Stevie himself, Erykah black music.” Badu, Angie Stone, Kele Le Roc, Common, Car- Omar hasn’t always opposed the MOBO’s, lene Anderson, Estelle and Rodney P. He also he simply wishes that it was more inclusive. He worked with jazz bassist/composer Bill Lee, fa- insists that they must “change their game” be- ther of filmmaker Spike. “He’s one of my favou- fore he would consider accepting an award or rite composers of this century, Omar says.” performing in future. Notable fans such as Jill Scott and India Arie It’s not surprising that Omar should protest, have commented on his artistry. Because of his music, layered vocals and multi instrumen- this type of interest and appreciation, Omar tal, continues to be undefined by categories. has, in the past considered moving to the Omar incorporates diverse sounds of soul, USA, but even there, he has been shut down jazz, funk, garage, revival and reggae. Never by the same record companies that ‘bruck’ him shy of breaking the mould, and even though in England. He insists any change in location the MOBO’s may have dropped their soul cat- would be temporary. “I don’t know about relo- egory. In a career that has spanned 21 years, cating. I’m a Londoner!” with numerous accolades and international But Omar admits, “The US is one of my big- recognition, Omar could never completely di- gest markets – there were periods when I had vorce himself from soul music. no label but I toured the US frequently so you But while he’s achieved critical acclaim, chart see the fans are supportive.” success has not always followed through. Since In 2002, Omar took a five-year break from his second album Music, Omar’s sales figures recording - during which time he built a stu- dipped worldwide and he remains somewhat dio in his garden, Back A Yard, set up his own underground. However, his fans have eased the label and toured extensively including the Far lack of chart impact. With music in his blood East. The venture brought him to audiences he (his father was in a band), clearly credibility is wasn’t even aware had heard of him: 10,000 more important to him than commercial suc- Indonesians singing back to him soon put cess. To Omar, sales and charts have got “f*** him straight. all to do with my expression.” “I’m out in the open now,” says Omar. “I cre- – standing up for soul – ated a new joint venture with my new manager Omar returned to mainstream consciousness – where the soul began – called Blunt Music, and so now I can do what I Omar Lye Fook (of Chinese Jamaican heritage) want, I’m in control. If I want to spend all day with a bang when he was pictured protesting on was born in Balham, South London. He lived in the studio, I can and I don’t have to worry the red carpet outside the 2007 MOBO awards in Canterbury from the ages of 6-16, went to about the time or the cost I’m racking up. Plus, held in London in October. The iconic British music school in Manchester from 16-18 and, now I can take my music directly to the fans.” besides a stint in Westbourne Park, has lived in The direct approach is delivering more di- soul singer added his voice to the campaign, South London ever since. Classically trained, verse beats Omar says, “On the album Best by organised by Chris Wells, editor of Echoes his music life began as a former principal per- Far I was very influenced by soundtracks and cussionist of the Kent Youth Orchestra, and Latin jazz. On later albums I wanted some- magazine. Ola Onabule, Rahsaan Patterson and later he graduated from the Guildhall School thing a bit more funky, something to put my Bluey Maunick joined him, their placards reading of Music in London. He produced debut single music back in the clubs. I still use the live in- “MOBO’s where’s your soul?” When I caught up Mr Postman/You And Me for family owned in- struments and the strings when I feel them, dependent label Kongo Dance. This made him ‘cause that’s me, but the kick and the snare get with Omar, 39, he was very vocal about why he a hot underground name. louder. That’s why my brother Scratch Pro- questioned the spirit of the awards show. Not long after this the success of his Ohio fessor is more involved, ’cause he’s great with

090 music 091 music “I PLAY WITH GREAT BANDS, THERE’S ALWAYS NEW MUSIC TO MAKE, NEW STYLES TO BLEND, NEW PEOPLE TO REACH”

those hip-hop beats.” internationally having just returned from At- was featured in the recent series Soul Britannia In August 2007, he returned to form with Sing lanta when we spoke. But it’s not all about shown on the BBC in the spring. (If You Want It), originally released in May 2006 music; he is now eagerly awaiting the birth of Omar has mixed emotions about his inclu- on Ether records. With the re-release, Omar is twins, who will have arrived by the time you sion, “It’s always flattering when you’re being embarking on a new phase, one that’s designed read this. talked about like that but I’ve got six albums now to bring him to a wider public than ever before. “The twins, I think inspired me somehow - I and not a lot of people know me for more than “I’m enjoying life so much now,” he says. “I mean as soon as I found out I started writing just one song (There’s nothing like this). It would play with great bands, there’s always new mu- the next album and that’s almost finished. be nice for everyone to know all the other music sic to make, new styles to blend, new people to He is busy setting up home with partner I’ve done. I’m not going to complain about it - reach… I went to Sainsbury’s the other day and Vicky and in ten years’ time he sees himself on that’s my bread and butter and I’m really proud it felt like I’d been on Crimewatch or something, album 16 or 17 and at the Parent Teachers As- I made that song, it’s what got me to where I am the amount of people looking and coming to sociation. He also hopes to equally be repre- now. I just hope people will remember that they shake my hand. It feels like a new beginning.” senting in another new world – comedy. He is can listen to other songs too.” currently working with a Producer from BBC ‘The reigning don of UK soul’ (The Face – the future: solely soul? – Radio 2 and is at the ‘talking’ stage of planning Magazine), ‘the original nu-classic soul gu- The future looks promising as Omar continues a sitcom. “I notice there’s not a lot of good vnor’ (Trevor Nelson), an awards show nor a to add strings to his bow. He now lists engineer black sitcoms on TV but there are plenty of song can encapsulate his soul laid bare. to his impressive credentials: recording, writ- American comedies. I like Everybody loves Ray- Catch Omar at Stratford Circus London on ing, and arranging. Production is the focus for mond, Martin, I’m really feeling clips of Real 15 December 2007 and London’s Jazz Café on the future. He has already produced 20 tracks McCoy, and No problems on You Tube…” 7- 8 March 2008. * for album number seven (due for release in Omar has paid his dues having flown the flag www.myspace.com/omarlyefook 2008) and is currently touring nationally and for British soul for two decades. Aptly then he www.omarmusic.net

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