Omar - Sing (If You Want It) (2006)
Benzi Box Album Review

I appreciate Omar Lye-Fook. His froggy baritone, layered harmonies, out there instrumentation and soulful melodies fills a niche in modern R&B music. He's an independent force who's gained respect in the industry with his talent and perseverance. I also have some issues that I think keeps him from higher levels of artistic and popular success. He's written his share of ho-hum lyrics, recycled musical themes and he often seems to be stuck in the early 1990's (time to change that haircut buddy). His records alternate between brilliance and embarrassment, a flood of interesting ideas that's often impressive but leaves behind mixed impressions.

Many of these faults are on full display with Sing (If You Want It), his first record since 2001, and really not his best. A good chunk of the ideas found in the set have been attempted before by Omar, and if you've digested superior albums like For Pleasure or This Is Not A Love Song this will seem pretty stale in comparison. It's a difficult to expect that an artist reinvent themselves instead of rehashing established formulas and working within a comfort zone, but Omar is guilty of putting out a long awaited record that could have been released shortly after his debut and none would be the wiser. If you're a fan this may seem like a good thing, simply getting more of what you wanted in the first place. It's just a shame that after arriving with a unique take on the genre over 15 years ago, Omar's grown content in his well worn territory. It's also a shame that his music often sounds dated as soon as it's released, no matter how outside of the box he paints himself (early 90's hangups FTL). His arrangements are just too smooth, rhythms too inorganic, he can't seem to shake his established M.O. for more than a few songs at a time. By this point he simply may not want to.

The title track on Sing is a good example of Omar's duality. The music is some of the best on the record, with a hook that sparkles and drips around a hypnotic beat. It's warm and inventive soul music that would be a career highlight if not for the sophomoric lyric that reminds us, with no amount of elegance, to whistle a happy tune. The track is nearly ruined by musings like "When things ain't working out too good/Put yourself in a dream/Where anything is possible/Oh yes we agree" followed by a chorus better suited for Tony! Toni! Tone! rather than a 2006 offering. So close, yet so far.

Of course it's still an Omar album, which means it sounds nothing like most R&B music being made today and could be a revelation to unsuspecting ears, as mine are admittedly jaded. He's never broken through the underground but you have to stand up and cheer the fact he's still tackling the industry when others have just given up *cough* LEWISTAYLOR *cough*. Omar's penchant for Latin Jazz, Bossa Nova and Downbeat really shines throughout and his keyboard/bass work is as funky as it's ever been. Genre hopping is to be expected - All For Me, a languid neo-soul ballad sits comfortably next to the dark, sparse African funk of It's So. A few friends help spice things up such as Angie Stone, Estelle, and Stevie Wonder, resulting in enjoyable duets and hip hop tracks. The tune with Stevie stands out as it's an effortless throwback to his early 70's material, a fitting tribute to a giant and a cool song in it's own right. And is that Omar rapping with Common & Co. on Gimmie Sum? I think so, and while he's no Andre, he's no Prince either. Not too shabby.

Final verdict: More of the same from a special talent, overdone but not without it's moments.

Omar - It's So...
Omar - Ghana Emotion
Omar - Feeling You (feat. Stevie Wonder)