Omar-vellous

Hit track 11 on the current Twelve Bar Sessions and you will find one of the best slices of sun-drenched soul ever committed to wax. Omar's "There's Nothing Like This" is a bonafide classic of its type. However, people often confuse this doubtless highlight as being a career peak for this British soul icon, when actually it marks the beginning of a rich and varied career, and consistently high quality output, culminating most recently in the excellent long-player "Sing (If You Want It)". Omar has sold out shows across the globe, including 6 US tours, and has influenced, and collaborated with, some stellar musical figures, from super fans Stevie Wonder and Angie Stone, to Erykah Badu, Common and the UK's own hip-hop daddy Rodney P. There remains a misnomer though, that his career has always been doomed for disappointment due to an inability to match this debut release, but that myopia is also a reason why the UK soul scene has remained so stunted, despite a rich cultural base, musical heritage and talent pool to draw from. Yes there have been great UK soul acts, and brilliant recordings, but so-called Music Of Black Origin (or MOBO) remains ghettoised by the indifference the very labels who should serve to promote it. But also by the UK crowd, who lap up this indifference while simultaneously drinking up the hype around the latest US-based bling merchant. A shame, because the scene has really turned out some brilliant artists. And you could do much worse than starting the exploration back at track 11. There really is nothing like this.