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Interview #27: Omar

Thu, 2004-05-27 18:02

With five albums and collaborations with luminaries including Erykah Badu, Angie Stone, Kele Le Roc and Syreeta Wright (former wife of Stevie Wonder) under his belt Omar has maintained a unique style and a loyal fan base. He follows his own star, no-one can exactly describe his music – jazz, funk, r&b, soul, disco, latin perfectly mixed with classic orchestral sounds. He can’t be pigeon-holed, but has been described as “the reigning don of UK soul” by Face Magazine and “the original nu-classic soul guvnor” by DJ Trevor Nelson, amongst others.

“I like music because... it makes me feel good.”Omar

ILM: So you’re playing live at Spitz on Friday and Saturday, what songs do you most enjoy singing live, and what’s the best thing about performing in London?

Omar: I can’t say that, there’s 5 albums and hundreds of songs to choose from. London is home town innit. It’ll be different playing at Spitz because I’m usually at the Jazz Café. It’s the home town.

ILM: You were in the country’s youth orchestra and were well into your music at school. What are your memories of music from school years?

Omar: I was in the brass band, choir and all kinds of stuff. It’s always a laugh for a kid.

ILM: Can you give me your own personal description of your forthcoming album?

Omar: Basically Stevie Wonder’s written a song, George Benson and some old school business basically with a modern twist – the same kind of thing that I normally do.

ILM: You’ve inspired and touched so many well respected artists. How does it feel knowing you have such iconic fans?

Omar: It makes it worthwhile at the end of the day, because there was a lot of people doubting me at the beginning. But if they’re fans of my stuff I must be doing something right.

ILM: Working with your idol Stevie Wonder must’ve been amazing and a memory you’ll hold with you forever, can you tell me how it felt?

Omar: It kind of was a dream because we waited until 5.30am in the studio, so well tired, but wow. It was Stevie Wonder – it was all good fun.

ILM: Where do you like to write, do you have a favourite place for inspiration?

Omar: Everywhere.

ILM: What advice do you have for musicians and artists who are trying to achieve their dreams?

Omar: Have patience and perseverance, because you’ll have to wait a while before you go anywhere, because it’s not an overnight thing if you’re trying to make a career out of it. And focus.

ILM: You’ve been producing for Soul-ja, Chris Ballin, and Ivy plus some unknowns. What do you look for in artists to produce for?

Omar: Cash’ll do. There’s just something special that you know you can work with, but it’s difficult to put it into words.

ILM: Tell me more about the track with Rodney P.

Omar: It’s an old skool type of vibe. He’s on it, plus Kenny B from Stateside and I’m trying to get Common on there and maybe one, other than that I can’t tell you anymore

ILM: How does the industry compare now to when you first began knocking on doors?

Omar: The major record companies don’t run everything, with the internet it’s easier for you to press up your own tunes and release them out there, without having to get the approval of someone else. So that’s a big help for someone like myself. Plus with touring and all the promotion thing as well.

So it’s a lot healthier than it used to be, but there’s still a long way to go.

ILM: Can you tell me the Omar process of making music?

Omar: There’s one easy step and that’s skin up – that’s all you need to do.

ILM: ‘There’s nothing like this’, is an absolute top notch summer classic. What ingredients do you think make a classic record?

Omar: That record has been around for a long time, and what that is I don’t know. You think it must be like a modern thing, but they still playing them things, but I can’t put my finger on it. When I write a tune I hope that people will be singing that tune from then on and not forget about it.

ILM: Describe your favourite place on earth.

Omar: On a beach in a hot country.

ILM: Can you describe the highlight of your life so far and highlight of your musical life?

Omar: Working with Stevie Wonder.

ILM: What is in your CD player right now?

Omar: A tape from Cool FM the old jungle station.

ILM: What is your favourite song to relax and chill out to?

Omar: Stevie Wonder – Inner Visions

ILM: What is your favourite song to have a good dance to?

Omar: Any old skool jungle tune.

ILM: Please give me a quote you live your life by...

Omar: Skin up! No I can’t really say that can I? Just… be mellow. :-)