Album Review: Omar - Love In Beats

Omar will always be associated with his big hit Nothing Like This, but the man with the very distinctive voice has been releasing quality music over the years that is just as worthy of your attention.

On this his 8th studio album he delivers a very diverse album: the Jazz and soul influences are still there but there are touches of funk, zouk and spoken word too. There are quite a few collaborations also on the album. The first track Vicky's Tune is classic Omar, though there is a cinematic feel to the track, whilst on Insatiable he teams up with British soul singer Natasha Watts. The track would shine even better if someone like Opolopo or Sean McCabe remixed the track.

Leon Ware adds a magical touch to Gave My Heart, a slow burning track that probably sounds even better on a hot summers day. With its nod to The Jones Girls track All Night Long the track makes you glad that Omar is still making great music 8 albums into his career.

A waltz vibe takes De Ja Vu to a new level. The theme of the lyrics throughout the album seems to be love, but for me the best track on the album is I Want it to Be where it is just Omar singing on a soulful shuffler of a song. The track is a slow grower on a song that could be a Stevie Wonder song.

If you like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Incognito or Stevie Wonder you will appreciate this album.

It might be mid winter outside but summer is just around the corner on this accomplished album from one of the UK's most underrated artists.

3 out of 5