Omar - Golden Brown 1997

RCA Records 74321 52542 2

In 1997 Omar released his new album, This Is Not A Love Song. Before it's release, he released a single from the album which surprised many. A cover of a Punk Rock ballad, an Ode to Heroin, a Heart FM classic?

In retrospect, it was a move of pure genius. Golden Brown, by The Stranglers, is a song that millions of normal everyday people feel comfortable with (many don't even realise it's about drugs) and therefore it might get the multi talented, under appreciated, genius that is Omar some kudos. It didn't of course, but it did give us this CD single release.

This release is all about Wherever, which is also from the album but on the album it is not remixed by the Blacksmith team though. The Blacksmith Full R&B Rub is eight minutes of pure class, leaving the, otherwise good, Blacksmith Hip Hop Mix in the shade.

The Brass Tooth "Well Constructed" Mix is a fine example of just how good a 4x4 remix can be. It plays a little fast for Omar but Croydon's Neville Smith who would put out the excellent Celebrate Life on Well Built Records the following year, has done a great job. This mix puts the song on the dance floor whilst retaining the soulful body of the song and giving it an uplifting gospel element.

• Golden Brown
• Wherever (Blacksmith Full R&B Rub)
• Wherever (Blacksmith Hip Hop Mix)
• Wherever (Brass Tooth "Well Constructed" Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Omar.rar Filesize: 35.89 MB

Omar - Say Nothin' (1997) - CD1 & CD2

RCA/BMG 74321 50286 2

Back in 1997 our friend Omar came back in fine style with a track, Say Nothin', that plain blew me away.

Sure, we could probably debate all night what this guy's finest hour was (for some, it would obviously be There's Nothing Like This, for me, it could well be Saturday or Keep Steppin' (Uptight Remix), and our boy Nitro argues there's too damn many finest moments to pick from - I'm inclined to agree), but whatever, this song surely has to be up there with the best of them.

Featuring another hero of mine: Russell Tyrone Jones aka Ol' Dirty Bastard aka ODB aka Dirt Dog aka Osiris aka Big Baby Jesus(!) aka Ason aka Dirt McGirt, this tune had a funky '80s throwback feel to it which appealed to me hugely.

For me, it's all about the Original Mix, which still sounds every bit as fresh as it did 12 years ago, although the Structure Rize Remix has re-recorded vocals and a cheeky interpolation of Gwen McCrae's "All This Love That I'm Giving" to make it a remix of note. I bet you can't listen to that chorus without a big grin spreading across your face. Probably my second favourite version after the Original.

The Rae & Christian Remix is pretty groovy, too - as are the Nightmares on Wax, Opaz and Scratch Professor Mixes. All in all, there's not a bad version of the track. Odd really, on most CD singles there's usually at least one remix that makes you think "why on Earth did they bother?" - Or is that just me?

So, here it is, in all its dual CD Single glory.

• Original Mix
• Structure Rize Remix
• Rae & Christian Remix
• Opax Remix
• Nightmares On Wax Remix
• Scratch Professor and Omar's Dark Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Say Nothin' (Disc 1).zip Filesize: 38.3MB

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RCA/BMG 74321 50287 2

CD2 contains the Original Mix again, as well as a Radio Edit which has no ODB!! Booohoooo! However, this ODB-less version does show off the lovely bridge section our perenially inebriated hiphoppa otherwise drowns out.

Sip N' Taste is fairly standard Omar fare, meaning by anyone else's standards it's excellent. Typical Omar type keyboards on this one. Give it a listen and you'll hear what I mean. Good tune.

Oh Baby is a really sexy track featuring lovely backing vocals from an uncredited female singer, possibly Sylvia Bennett Smith, as she's listed as a co-writer. I really like this track, it's slinky and sexy.

• Say Nothin' (original mix)
• Say Nothin' (Radio Edit)
• Sip N' Taste
• Oh Baby

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Say Nothin' (Disc 2).zip Filesize: 21.4MB

Enjoy!

- Kymba

Omar - Keep Steppin' 1994

RCA Records 74321233672

A collection of mixes on this '94 CD Single from RCA. The original release is backed up by the Uptight Remix by Rodney Hunter (Moreaus) & Demon Flowers (Werner Geier of Kruder & Dorfmeister). It features additional vocals from Leena Conquest (Boundaries). Next up comes from Gang Starr's DJ Premier and features Uptown (Dope On Plastic). Last but not least, we have two mixes from London's Ghetto Lab featuring Darkman with his own inimitable rap style. The last mix is an Acapella featuring Darkman. No unreleased tracks though, which is a shame but then what do you want for £3.

• Keep Steppin'
• Uptight Remix
• DJ Premier Mix
• Ghetto Lab Mix
• Ghettapella

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Omar - Keep Steppin'.rar Filesize: 27.85 MB

Mica Paris - South Of The River 1990

4th & Broadway BRCD 199

This incredible release is one of my all time favourites from Mica. South Of The River from the Contribution album, remixed by the Blacksmith crew.

Pretty good stuff but then we have Where Are The Children, an absolute gem, soul music the way it's meant to be. The track is one of two tracks recorded at Ground Control, Santa Monica, written and produced by Patrick Moten & J.A. Greene for Golden Empire, the cherry on top comes courtesy of Gerald Albright supplying sax. This track has everything except Bobby Womack!

In contrast we have I Should've Known Better, written and produced by Mica & Omar. Omar plays all the instruments and it's kept sparse and simple but that does not detract from it's effectiveness in any way. Mica has room to breathe, space to perform and Omar's beats behind that dangerous bass line, this is a killer track. Enjoy!

• South Of The River (Upso Mix)
• South Of The River (Brixton Bass Mix)
• Where Are The Children
• I Should've Known Better

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Mica Paris BRCD 199.rar Filesize: 23.81 MB

Omar - Outside 1994

RCA Records 74321213982

This was the one I was after, the Full Opaz Mix of Outside, none of that radio edit rubbish. The album version is also here for those that haven't got the For Pleasure LP (get it, you are missing out on a great soul album) and there are two unreleased tracks which to my knowledge are only available here. Give Or Take A Few is typical quirky Omar while One For The Road pushes toward a classic Omar ballad but this release is really all about Opaz.

• Outside (Full Opaz Mix)
• Outside (Original LP Mix)
• Give Or Take A Few
• One For The Road

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Omar - Outside (Opaz).rar Filesize: 26.5 MB

Omar - Outside/Saturday 1994

RCA Records 74321213972

Omar is quite often overlooked in the history of soul, he's certainly one of the UK's most underrated artists. He virtually invented Street Soul and is an all-round writer/producer/musician/artist and yet he is remembered (just) as a one hit wonder for There's Nothing Like This. Time's are changing, after six albums (yes, six albums. The last one Sing released in 2006) and awards for 'Best Neo-Soul Act' and 'Outstanding Achievement Award' at the Urban Music Awards 2006, Omar is getting the recognition he deserves.

Back in 1994 he released the superb For Pleasure album and this single was lifted from it. Strange release, this one. The title track is Outside and it was specially remixed by the legendary Ray Hayden at Opaz Studios. Unfortunately, only the Radio Edit is on the CD?

Saturday is another track from the album and this has been remixed by Frankie Foncett. Foncett is not always good but the Gangster Club Ride is an interesting take on that urban ghetto vibe. For me though, this release is all about the Absolute Remix. Sublime, as always.

• Outside (Opaz Radio Edit)
• Saturday (Frankie Foncett's Gangster Club Ride)
• Saturday (Frankie Foncett's Club Part 1)
• Saturday (The Absolute Remix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Omar - Saturday mixes.rar Filesize: 26.59 MB

Omar - Your Loss My Gain 1992

Talkin' Loud TLKCD 22

The British soul icon, Omar developed his style at an early age. He plays trumpet, piano and drums and spent two years at music college in Manchester while his father was in a band and founded Kongo Records. There’s Nothing Like This, hit the streets in 1990 and has since become a summer soul classic.

• Your Loss My Gain
• Get To Know You Better
• Reality

No remixes here I'm afraid. Track 1 & 2 are from the album but Reality has not turned up anywhere else, to my knowledge?



The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: TLKCD 22.rar Size: 15.53 MB

Homegrown Volume 1 1993

Kongo Dance KDCD6

Featuring tracks from Omar, Victor Haynes, Vanessa Simon, Damel Carayol, F.B.I., Good Time Band & Unfinished Business.

• Do You Mind
• Little Boy
• Heaven
• Simple To See
• F.B.I.
• It's Only Good For A While
• Good Feeling
• Two Hearts
• Bad Deal
• You Can Fly
• Dangerous*
• Unfinished Business*

"...Streetsoul or Urban Jazz is uniquely a British phenomenon..."

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Homegrown Vol.1.rar Filesize: 71.01 MB



*2 bonus tracks that were not available on the low volume vinyl pressing.

Misty Oldland - Got Me A Feeling 1993

XPCD 316

Produced, written and music by the talented Michele Oldland with additional production by Maxton 'Gig' Beesley Jnr. & Jeremy Meehan (Max Beesley's High Vibes) Jo Dworniak (I-Level) & Glen Nightingale (Jamiroquai, Gap Band, etc.).

Also featured are the uncredited vocals of Omar Lye Fook of 'There's Nothing Like This' fame and doesn't it show. The floaty, atmospheric, jazzy vibe and Misty's vocals, all kind of sensuous in a somewhat, ethereal way.

How bloody silly of me to peel the contact label off the back.
Where did she go, where's the album?

• 7" Version
• 12" Version: Misty's Magic Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: XPCD 316.rar Size: 14.48 MB