OMAR Vinyl & CDs

Review: Soul meets speed garage on this new V/A EP from Z Records, blurring the lines between the genres in just the way we like it. The opening track - Grant Nelson's mix of 'Starlight' by Dave & Omar - is a euphoric, piano-laced uplifter which both sonically and lyrically urges us to reach for the sky. That's followed by the DJ Fudge production 'Everything' by Chocolate Fudge Band, featuring lots of live instrumentation and a Curtis Mayfield style vocal, while over on the flip, 'Looking For You' proves to be a deep and bouncy cut filled with soulful Motown vocal chops and an organ workout worthy of any Sunday service, over a beautifully wonky house framework.

Review: Second time around for "Benefit", a breezy and soulful song by UK soul scene stalwart Omar that originally appeared on Boddhi Satva's 2015 album "Transition". This time round, the mixes come from deep house royalty Alton Miller and Kai Alce. The former handles the A-side, delivering a wonderfully warm, intricately produced extended rework that sees Omar's incredible vocal rise above bouncy Afro-house drums, darting synth bass, rich chords and all manner of subtle instrumental flourishes. Kai Alce provides both vocal and instrumental mixes on the flip, opting for booming bass, swinging, garage-influenced drums and some suitably old school organ riffs.