Omar Coleman
makes his
Delmark
debut with 2015's
Born & Raised
, a lively collection of straight-ahead Chicago blues. At 42,
Coleman
is among the Windy City's young guard and, accordingly, he adds a heavier dose of soul-funk to his blues than some Chicago standard-bearers: witness "Sit Down Baby," which bears a heavy disco-fied backbeat, or the slow-burning "I Was a Fool," which could almost slide onto late-night quiet storm playlists. He's soulful enough of a singer to pull this off without a hitch but he's best when the blues get a little down and dirty, allowing him to really belt out his vocals and tear into his harp. These moments may provide the most compelling moments on
but the versatility is the most impressive thing about it, suggesting that
has many roads to follow in the future. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine