This is the first video (well actually, the second, if we count the teaser video shot in Copenhagen last summer) for the track “The Man.” Directed by Robin Brunson of Hextatic, who is known for creating trippy audiovisuals. What’s so lovely to watch about this video is how it blends between black and white to colour at the poignant points of the song, symbolising freedom, happiness and joy as Omar takes a walk with his family, including his twin daughters at the seaside. We simply cannot wait to hear Omar‘s new album The Man in its entirety. In the meantime, the single, which features remixes from Shafiq Husayn and Maddslinki (Zed Bias), and a reworking of Omar’s first his, “There’s Nothing Like This” featuring legendary bassist, Pino Palladino is available on iTunes.

The Man hits stores May 26th.

The Man is symbolical to Omar, in that it signifies his years in music and becoming a man during the entire process. And has he given us an unwavering journey! From singing in night clubs to gracing the world stage, being sort out by Stevie Wonder himself, to singing with the best in music like Erykah Badu, Angie Stone, Syreeta Wright, Common, and Carleen Anderson, and recently a recipient of an M.B.E. for his outstanding contribution to the UK music. Omar deserves all accolades because he is THE MAN!

The first single to whet our ears is the title track “The Man,” featuring all the elements we love about Omar — great musical arrangements, flute and horns, slapping bass, and chords, matched with his unique vocal style that’s like a warm embrace filled with beautiful roots and culture. The release comes with three reworkings by Shafiq Husayn (Sa Ra), Maddslinky (a.k.a. Zed Bias), and Scratch Professer with a hip hop flavour. Basically the single is for everyone. But the real gem is the remake of his first hit single “There’s Nothing Like This,” which perfectly features bassist Pino Palladino, as the original’s bass was the driving force of the track. It’s gorgeous! One of the other highlights to the album is Omar being reunited with Caron Wheeler (Soul II Soul), who sang background vocals on his debut record “Mr. Postman,” back in 1985 on “Treat You.”

“The Man” single is scheduled to release May 27 on and can be pre-ordered on Kudo Records and  iTunes. Check out the audio snippets from the album below.

Check out Muphoric Sounds Vanessa Warren’s interview with Omar on The Loop!

If this doesn’t get you excited to hear the forthcoming album from Omar, then I don’t know what will. In this impromptu style video shot on the streets of Copenhagen, Omar sings the title track off the new album, “The Man.” Last year, in an interview I did with Omar on Loop 21, he was very clear in sticking to the personal formula of only releasing music he can live with and that with The Man, “we’re not to expect anything, but expect everything.” From the sound of The Man, I’m expecting EVERYTHING! Check it out below!

I’ve been throwing the word transatlantic around of late due to geography no longer posing boundaries. Mark de Clive-Lowe‘s new album Renegades pulls in people from different countries, cultures and what we have is a fusion of sounds and styles. Enlisting a wide array of talent, from UK’s finest vocalists Omar, recently signed to Warner Music underground artist Tawiah, Bembe Segue, from Los Angeles Ovasoul7 and newcomer nia andrews, French singer Sandra Nkake, and Sheila E. on percussion, Pino Palladino on bass, to name a few on this project. MdCL pull out an international project with this one!

“Under Orders,” with Tawiah on vocals caters to my broken beat heart. Love that she manages to sing with a London accent, and MdCL‘s musicianmanship, with Dego and Bembe Segue‘s finishing touches make it the rotation track. Musically Renegades covers much ground. I wanted to hear more from Bembe as the combination of MdCL and Bembe is perfect. Omar, as always, is pure butter on “Get Started” with the Ms. Sheila E. on timbale and bells. Sandra Nkake‘s vocals on “Alabi” are so expressive, taking us back to Miriam Makeba in style.

Check out the sampler provided by MdCL below then head over to iTunes or Amazon to get yourself a copy of Renegades on Tru Thoughts Records.

Renegades [FM Dial Album Preview] by mashibeats

“Dancing” instantaneously has gotten me geared up for London Carnival. This song will be played on every corner by every sound system, and everybody will be forced to whine their waists up. It’s that tune! Omar has been doing quite a few collaborations, and we’re all waiting in anticipation for a new album from the brother — his last solo release was in 2006! It’s time! Omar and Zed Bias (a.k.a Maddslinky) are a great combination together. Last summer they brought us “Special” and with “Dancing” they go deeper in the afro-Caribbean beats, bringing in elements of danceable grime. “Dancing” will be available on Tru Thoughts Records as part of a limited run on vinyl on May 9th, and then digitally from June 27th, 2011 – the summer kick off tune! Additionally, Tru Thoughts Records will be releasing Omar‘s classic album Sing (If You Want It), which features the legendary Stevie Wonder, Angie Stone, Common, and Estelle, with “Dancing” as the bonus track. So if you don’t own it, you’ve got a special treat!

New music in 2010 from Omar was on Muphoric Sounds‘s 2009 year end list, and boy do with a have a lovely one. “Special” is the first single from Maddslinky‘s (aka Zed Bias) upcoming album Make a Change, which is set to release on TruThoughts Records October 25, and features a host of UK’s finest independent artists including Tawiah and Skream. The official single hits stores September 13 and will feature remixes from MJ Cole, Toddla T, Chimpo, Atjazz, and Simbad.

“Special” is a sweet, soulful house tune with remnants of UK’s broken beat slaps, and coupled with Omar‘s silky vocals — it’s a winner! Personally, I’m looking forward to what Omar and Mark de Clive-Lowe are cooking up in the lab. But in the interim, enjoy the video below!

What can be said about Mark de Clive-Lowe? He is a musical genius, the Herbie Hancock of our times, an amazing producer, who is devoid of categorization. His biological make-up (part New Zealand and Japanese), has provided him with this eclectic approach to music, where damn near everyone in the future soul, nu-jazz, hip-hop, and experimental sounds communities want to work with him. Collaborating with the likes of Restless Soul, DJ Spinna, Dego (4Hero), Bugz in the Attic, Wajeed (Platinum Pied Piper), Bembe Seque, Omar, Lyric L, Tawiah, to name a few, it is an honor that Mark agreed to put together a list of his Top 10 musical highlights for 2009 – especially during his busy schedule while in Barcelona! His tastes in music are so varied, which only further exemplifies his aptitude of an outstanding producer. He truly appreciates music.

Keep your ears open for forthcoming musical pleasures from Mark, who has projects in the works with Jody Watley, Sy Smith, Omar (yay!!!!), and the legendary Leon Ware.

Mark de Clive-Lowe’s 2009 Top Ten Picks

10. Dam Funk – Toeachizown (Album)

9. Julien Dyne – Pins & Digits (Album)

8. Shafiq Husayn – “Nirvana” Original + Remix from En’ A-Free-Ka Album

7. Joy Jones – “Over” on Godchild (Album)

6. Slum Village – featuring Marsha Ambrosius – “Cloud 9″ (Single)

5. Phil Asher – “9 Minutes of Fun” (Single)

4. Rob van de Wouw – Tunnelvision (Album)

3. Sterling Ensemble – feat. Sara Devine – “Life Ain’t What It Seems” (Single)

2. Mos Def - ‘Quiet Dog’ Live on Letterman

1. Esperanza Spalding – Esperanza (Album)