RCA
1995
For Pleasure
About This Album
British soulster Omar's second release, For Pleasure, is a distinctive delight, and a rare element these days. He collaborates on most tracks with David Frank, The System (ESP), Christina Aguilera, and 98 Degrees. Beginning with the oh-too-short "My Baby Says," the album flows into the samba-flavored "I'm Still Standing." "Saturday" has sinewy synth riffs that recall Parliament/Funkadelic's Bernie Worrell. "Keep Steppin'" was inspired by Chicago's step dance movement, and with a remix it could be huge. Underscoring the British respect and appreciation of American R&B and soul music, Omar works with two legends from this genre. "Outside" is culled from an unfinished multi-track tape made in the '70s which was found in Lamont Dozier's basement. It's smooth soul featuring vintage performances by Ray Parker, Jr., Sonny Burke, and Jay Graydon. Another Motown alumni, Leon Ware co-writes, and contributes backing vocals and keyboards on the soft pumping "Can't Get Nowhere." The dusky, jazzy "Little Boy" has soft brushes and double bass. "Need You Bad" is multi-layered, using a riff from '70s Philly soul group The Jones Girls' "Who Can I Turn To." "Making Sense of It" has lyrics that bespeak working life in the lay-off-laden mid-'90s: "I lost my job on account I can't stay with it/ On account they want me to quit/ On account my mind just don't fit/ Everyday I go down to the place/ Where they keep all the work and tell me not to lose my faith." Omar's eclectic leanings remind you of how much range, personality, and distinctiveness you'll find on pop albums of the past. [The Japanese import features a bonus track.] ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide
Track List (try tracks 1,2,3,4,6,8,9,13 and 14)

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