DIGI: Omar – Gave My Heart ft. Leon Ware

Love In Beats, Omar’s most recent album, has further cemented his reputation as a truly individual artist – with a sound and style which is utterly unique. It features various special guests, but none quite as special as one of Omar’s biggest influences – and someone who became his close personal friend and musical collaborator – the recently departed legend Leon Ware.

It’s impossible to list them all, but just a few artists who benefited from Leons’ genius would include The Four Tops, Ike & Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, Minnie Riperton and Michael Jackson. Leon so trusted Omar that he allowed him and his co-producer brother Scratch Professer to use elements of his classic tune ‘Rockin’ You Eternally’ within Gave My Heart – and also contribute his unmistakable voice too, as Omar elaborates:

“I was blessed to know Leon for over 23 years, and what I remember most is the laughter! The musician was a bonus to experience, so the fact he allowed me and my brother to create a song with one of his creations was such an honour, and to think it may have been one of his last releases fills me with pride. Rest in Beats Leon, love you bad… like cook food Xxx”

This 6 track EP not only features the beautiful original version of Gave My Heart, but 4 highly individual re-interpretations – imaginative and creative remixes from highly renowned names DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Reflex, Rob Hardt and also a trademark ‘re-twist’ by Omars’ Grammy Award winning brother The Scratch Professer. Stirred into the mix is Brainstorm – an exclusive track never heard before that features an on point rap from Maurice Brown.

Omar and Freestyle Records wish to dedicate this release to the music and the memory of Leon Ware – a beautiful soul and incredible ground breaking soul artist.