Published
Mon, Nov 13, 2006, 19:30
- RA talks to Omid about SOS, his forthcoming third album and the spiritual force behind 16B.
Omid 16B is the DJ and producer who first brought a sleek sexiness and groove to the genre known for its simple rhythms and scientific structure: progressive house. Blending house - sometimes deep, sometimes tribal - with techy grooves, Omid helped to create the deep progressive sound captured on Global Underground compilations by John Digweed and Deep Dish in 2001.
As well as groove, Omid brings to the genre a bit of soul and spirituality. In a past interview Omid said, "The records I make are pretty spiritual. I try and absorb my feelings." No better example of this is his biggest single 'Escape (Driving to Heaven)' (2001), which featured the deep, solemn vocals of Richard Morel – perhaps one of the best examples of 'soulful' or 'emotive' progressive house.
Omid is also one of dance music's most egoless characters: he meditates before gigs and he's also the guy who invites everyone back to his hotel for afters. Two of his soulmates are Desyn Masiello and Demi, who together with Omid make up the DJ triad SOS, aka Sex on Substance, best known for their boat antics on the high seas (well actually, just the Thames) and saucy, shit-faced crowds in El Ayoun, Ibiza. The three DJs who emphasise the party rather than the promotion are currently putting together their first SOS mix CD.
Omid also runs the label Sexonwax, home to many of his own productions plus singles by Sycophant Slags (Mr C and Adultnapper) and The Idiots, a collaboration between himself, Desyn Masiello and Leon Roberts. The label has just released the first single 'PSCO' from his forthcoming third album with a second EP 'Changing Change' due out in December.
RA talks to Omid about SOS, his forthcoming third album and the spiritual force behind 16B.