Omar live streaming from Ronnie's - Feb. 4

Omar (vocals, keyboards); Allan Simpson (guitar, vocals); Lennox Cameron (keyboards, flute, vocals); Gordon Mulraine (bass); Westley Joseph (drums)

Band MD Lennox Cameron introduced the man, Britain's no.1 neo-soul singer, Omar Lye-Fook. One number after another, few, if any, tunes announced, after two or three Omar saying simply: Warming up! By the time they got to playing Be Thankful and Everybody Loves the Sunshine the band really was warmed up! Alright, were gonna pick the pace up now. Get yer dancin' shoes on! said the man. And onto This is Not a Love Song. Omar said he couldn't believe he wrote There's Nothing Like This all of thirty one years ago. The band played it, tight, in the groove, neo-soul, soul, funk. 

Some more, yeah? enquired our man. Turning to his ace band: I think we need to pick it up, and so they did! And to close, from Omar's 2013 album The Man,  a stonking Stop War, Make Love, introduced this evening as F*** War, Make Love. And this was the number on which the boys got their moment in Ronnie's spotlight. First guitarist, Allan Simpson, then - This man's perfect for the job, said Omar-  five string funking bassist Gordon Mulraine. Next up...Please give it up for Lennox Cameron!  Last but not least, Mr Wesley Joseph! A cameo of a solo, but what a solo! And my name is Omar! And off he went, bowing to the (virtual) audience, the band taking it out.   

Russell