Various – OM:10 A Decade Of Future Music

The usual quality one comes to expect from OM but not as good as other comps. I have always been a big fan of the San Fran label and its great variety of talented artists and producers. This offers some more of the best. However- I have to add that its not my favourite from them. Why? Well, because albums and remixes from the greatest artists here featured surpass this collection. In some ways i cannot compare as they are ‘by nature’ albums not compilations. Cd3 starting with blue boy and Mark Farinas Dream Machine are just not ‘for me’ really classics. And so the third cd doesn’t work as much as CD1. CD2 has a nice selection of soothing soulful lounge sounds, some pretty tasty and others just amazing. But - when CD1 is mixed then why not mix the others? Unless they are DJ friendly? Don’t really get that. Why not make each CD a journey and flow? Thats just my opinion and i am only so tough on this because i love so much of OM’s work. Certainly not utterly disappointing, but could have been better.

Remember me is dope

Although this was the first of the 3 compilation issues to commemorate the ten years of OM Records, in comparison to the other two, this one quite honestly falls somewhat flat. Don't get me wrong, it's still a descent collection of that deep vocal house from the Bay with a couple of memorable highlights (most notably "Come Together, Love Better", "Soul Sympathy" and "Studio C"), nonetheless it quite clearly lacks the consistency of "Future Classics" or the variety and diversity of "Downtempo".

Frankly the only reason I got it was to have the whole "A Decade of Future Music" trilogy complete, especially since it was rather inexpensive and available, which it still is for that matter, but I guess that neither here nor there.

Anyway, well done to OM Records for a decade of excellence and commitment.

The second installment of "A Decade of Future Music", a 3 part series to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the OM Records, is an intriguing blend of various genres and styles associated with this label, however this time focusing on the more jazzed out and chilled side of the Bay.

Papp's jazzy take on the original Farina track is an appriopriate starter, as it's serious beat and sizzling sax set the mood and provide a taste of things to come. Colette and JT right right into this narrative with signature OM Records styled deep vocal house. Further down the road Colossus turns to hip-hop beats and jazzy shuffle and Raashan builds upon this foundation adding some soulful and uplifting vocals. The path takes an unexpeced turn south of the Bay as King Kooba and Rithma throw in some scorchin Latin grooves into the equation. Finally, Jake Childs and Seafoam throws in some broken beat goodness with an underlaying downtempo chill to conclude the proceedings.

Great production and much appreciated variety across the board are the essential characteristics of this release, and coupled with the fact that it's still available for decent prices should be enough to add this to any collection.

I generaly don't subscribe to the idea of compilations, especially those tagged "classics" as quite often they comprise of one or two highlights and the rest is just filler. Suffice it to say, this is not the case here...

This double LP commemorating the 200th release of Bay area's finest, OM Records, offers a collection of 8 classic (as the title so aptly suggests) deep house cuts by artists that over the years have made their mark not only on the deep house genre, but more importantly have been mainstays for the imprint itself.
Filled with soulful vocals, lush pads, delicate rhythms, and with scores of sensual undertones as well as some timely use of sax, piano and strings, this compilation is absolulety perfect for that sunny, lazy, hot Sunday afternoon.
Just sit back, relax and order one more cold one, why not, it's summer afer all...

For anyone out there who may be wondering what OM Records does best, this comp is for you. A reasonably-priced three-disc affair with over 3.5 hours total of the best independent-minded dance music around. This really shows the evolution of this label from its humble beginnings to what directions it might take in the future. On the other hand, if you are missing a few of these tracks, get this anyways. In this current phase of the music industry, how many small-time labels can say they have over 200 releases under their belt? A landmark effort.