\nTo put it simply, Omar Lye-Fook is \u201cThe Man\u201d and you should buy his new record, which coincidentally happens to go by the same title! <\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m quite happy to end this review right here, but will continue on for the sake of those who might be a unfamiliar with this legendary Brit.<\/p>\n

At 44, this classically trained singer, songwriter and musician is often considered the Father of British neo-soul music.He\u2019s worked with Stevie Wonder, Leon Ware, Erykah Badu, Common, and the list goes on! Recently appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire for his contributions to music, Omar\u2019s undeniable talent has brought him worldwide acclaim.<\/p>\n

For fans of Omar, seven years is a long time between drinks. Luckily for the past few years he\u2019s been steadily working, collaborating with Zed Bias AKA Maddslinky, Mark de Clive Lowe, and Guru to name a few. Tru Thoughts also re-released his last album \u2018Sing (If You Want It)\u2019 in 2011 with bonus cuts. These releases kept us constantly checking for Omar and whet the appetite for his latest effort \u2018The Man\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u2018The Man\u2019 is a truly organic record, which once again displays his eclectic approach to music making. The live instrumentation on its 13 tracks fuses elements of Afro-Beat, Latin Jazz, Soul and Hip-Hop. <\/p>\n

In my opinion, the title track is one of the hottest records of the year. He actually used a bass clarinet for a bassline? Like, wow! I was pulling uncontrollable \u2018funk faces\u2019 the first time I heard it. Combining strings, woodwind, and brass with emotive chord changes, he reminisces of a younger self, confessing previous foolish ways where he was \u201cjust trying to be the man\u201d, and how ultimately falling in love made him \u201cThe Man\u201d. I absolutely love how the musical arrangement connects with the subject of maturing. The progression \u2018maturity\u2019 of the song starts out as a harder \u2018hip-hop stomper\u2019 with more self-conceit and attitude and resolves \u2018matures\u2019 into a calm, beautiful and lush piece of music, which feels like \u201cwalking in sunshine\u201d. Did I mention already that Omar is The Man?<\/p>\n

Other highlights for me are \u2018Simplify\u2019, \u2018Fuck War, Make Love\u2019, \u2018Treat You Like\u2019 featuring Caron Wheeler (Soul II Soul), and the remake of his already classic \u2018There\u2019s Nothing Like This\u2019 featuring long time D\u2019Angelo collaborator, Pino Palladino on bass.<\/p>\n

Omar\u2019s longevity of making music, which is true to himself is something very rare in today\u2019s music scene. I\u2019d highly recommend you pick up \u2018The Man\u2019 and everything else he\u2019s had a hand in. You\u2019re life will be so much better for it!<\/p>\n