Ohmega Watts’ latest album, The Find is a refreshing look backwards to a sound that is reminiscent of the Jazz influenced Hip Hop of the early to mid 90’s with beats and loops that recall A Tribe Called Quest, Digable Planets and De La Soul. The message maintains a positive outlook , rhymes dance around the everyday struggle and the affirmation of a life lived with confidence and pride in oneself.

Where It All Started is one of the stand out tracks and while though it is a shout out to the life of the MC with name drops of the places and people that influenced him it is a well constructed story covering childhood trips to Coney Island and block parties where he discovered the B-Boy and DJing. Production is solid, carrying the MC forward and providing elements that give the song a reference point like the 808 drop in the opening strains ushering in the year of 1979.

The Find is a well built album that even for is unabashed nostalgia moves the genre forward. The liner notes point out that Watts is influenced by contemporary artists such as RJD2 and The Herbaliser where the cut and paste style of those artists can be heard best in A Request where the bass line wobbles about a hopping drum line and a skipping guitar melody. Sprinkled about are vintage R&B samples, funky little break beats and turn arounds as well as the occasional prog rock guitar riff blowing in from the 70’s.

The album in its entirety is a beautiful vision and is an incredible showcase of Ohmega Watts’ talent. If you have a love for Hip Hop, soul, breaks or if you just love artists that push beyond the artificial label boundaries imposed by listeners this album is highly recommended. I for one will be tacking it on my Best of 2005 list.