om records

Born in the creative heartland of San Francisco, Om is a diverse and innovative label that forms a family for artists spanning electronica, deep house, funk, jazz, techno and hip hop. Founded in the Northern Californian city in 1995 Om quickly built a blazing reputation thanks in part to their series of compilations ‘Mushroom Jazz’, ‘Om Lounge’, ‘San Francisco Sessions’ and ‘Deep Concentration’.

To date there are 15 artists on the Om roster including Soulstice (7 piece electronic soul orchestra), Ming and FS (electro break beat decknicians), Juan Atkins (the godfather of techno), Mark Farina (don of the San Fran deep house scene), hip hop act People Under The Stairs, UK leftfielders King Kooba, Landslide (also of Hospital Records) and most recent signing King Britt.

‘Deep Concentration’ was a critically acclaimed compilation that many cited as the future of hip hop and featured some of the then little-known artists like Cut Chemist, The Angel, Radar and Peanut Butter Wolf. The trilogy of this series along with a handful of others helped broaden peoples perceptions of hip hop DJs to that of artists as well.

The hugely popular down-tempo ‘Mushroom Jazz’ series by Om was spawned by the legendary San Fran weekly of the same name and saw DJ Mark Farina take control of the mix. A mellower compilation in contrast to the booming acid jazz trend the ‘Mushroom Jazz’ mix was championed in San Fran and Chicago before the buzz soon spread across the world. Early hits by J Live, Julius Papp and Mr Electric Triangle all featured on this series.

Subsequently Mark Farina saw an apt time to release the ‘San Francisco Sessions’ highlighting the fast emerging San Fran soulful house scene. Another series that reached three volumes deep, gathering respect worldwide was championed by Garth of Greyhound Records and Kit Kat resident Jon Howard and is seen as a landmark for the Bay Area house scene.

‘Om Lounge’ all started from a club night thrown by a San Fran collective which blended mid-tempo atmospherics of dub, funk, hip hop and jazz. The most prolific of compilations to date Om Lounge grouped together an expanding plethora of chill out artists. Artists presenting their work here were Atjazz, Soulstice, Fila Brazilia, Beanfield and Landslide.

Another club residency inspired mix, the same named ‘Sound Design’ is without doubt the deepest gem in the Om catalogue and is still an on-going project at present. Two different DJs were assigned for this one: LA’s Marques Wyatt, famed for his longstanding residencies at Does Your Mama Know and Deep. And Mark Grant from Chicago, renowned for his work on Cajual and Guidance and his Chicago residency at Boom Boom Room.

Om have also launched a sister label named ‘Colourforms’ that focuses on “futuristic rhythms and diverse production techniques”. A combination of sounds helping to define the future of innovative music can be found here including 2-step, breaks, broken beats and house. Imminent releases are forthcoming from Boswick Gates, Ming & FS, Soulstice, Sightseer, Landslide and Naked Music NYC.

Last year, with the success of their acclaimed hip hop excursion behind them, Om decided to launch their own hip hop imprint, ‘Deep Concentration’. The label was formed with a view to “circumventing the current state of corporate laced candy glam-hop”. Maspyke from Boston will be debuting with the trademark production blows of DJ Roddyrod who has worked with Q-Tip, ED.Og, Doug E Fresh, Rasco and Planet Asia.

“Om strives to cover the entire spectrum of underground electronic music, and is proud to feature an international line up of artists, covering the worlds of house, soul, funk, hip hop, techno, down tempo, drum and bass and two-step.” As well as the compilations watch out for more soul stirring stuff from Mark Farina, Marques Wyatt and Johnny Fiasco all forthcoming on twelve inch.