It seems very fitting that in Black History month, Omar, a man who has made his mark in musical history for 35 years played to three sell out Hideaway audiences on consecutive nights.
Omar showed some of his versatility by not only singing but playing keyboard and, for the opener of the second set, piano. He was joined on most songs by Lex Cameron on keys, a guitar, bass and drum together with two backing vocalists, one of whom was his sister Samia. His brother Scratch Professor joined him for a couple of numbers.
Most of the songs were upbeat and for most of the second set he had a lot of the crowd up on their feet. Something he encouraged when he played his song ‘Dancing’. He finished with his most well-known song ‘There’s Nothing Like This’ which was first released back in 1985 before coming back for a deserved encore.
I have only recently (in the last eight years) become aware of most of Omar’s music but as so many of the artists I listen to speak of how he has influnced them, I have begun to appreciate what he has achieved and his music and will continue to appreciate his music.
Johns London Music Reviews 