For Pleasure

JazzTimes - "...what Stevie Wonder might sound like if he had come up through the British club scene. While many state-side soulsters are content to sample, cover and rearrange old sides, Omar, a frightfully accomplished pop songwriter, continues the soul tradition, rather than raiding it..." Jazziz - "...surefire funk furies..." Rolling Stone - 3.5 Stars - Very Good - "...Omar is the Wynton Marsalis of soul, a 25-year-old multi-instrumentalist with a daunting command of rhythm & blues history and a romantic's sense of melody....In Omar's world, every little inflection [is signifigant], and no appropriation is careless..."

British soulster Omar's third album is a distinctive delight and a rare element. He collaborates on several tracks, with David Frank, the System (ESP), Christina Aguilera, and 98 Degrees. Beginning with the oh-too-short "My Baby Says," the album flows into the samba-flavored "I'm Still Standing." "Saturday" has sinewy synth riffs that recall Parliament-Funkadelic's Bernie Worrell. "Keep Steppin'" was inspired by Chicago's step dance movement, and with a remix it could be huge. Underscoring the British respect and appreciation of American R&B and soul music, Omar works with two legends from this genre. "Outside" is culled from an unfinished multi-track tape made in the '70s found in Lamont Dozier's basement. It's smooth soul featuring vintage performances by Ray Parker, Jr., Sonny Burke, Jay Graydon, and Sonny Burke. Another Motown alumni, Leon Ware co-writes, contributes backing vocals, and keyboards on the soft pumping "Can't Get Nowhere." The dusky, jazzy "Little Boy" has soft brushes and double bass. Omar's eclectic leanings reminds how much range, personality, and distinctiveness you'll find on pop albums of the past. ~ Ed Hogan|