Foreign Exchange-Leave It All Behind review

Foreign Exchange-Leave It All Behind 4/5
2004's release of Nicolay and Phonte's "Connected" album was a testament to the power of cyberspace bringing us together. Due to Nicolay and Phonte's distance making it difficult to record the project together in a studio, the duo opted to produce the album via Yahoo Instant Messenger crafting a sonic masterpiece. Seamlessly blending aspects of hip-hop, electronic, house and soul music making a modern day classic. Now, four years later, they release the sophomore Foreign Exchange project 'Leave It All Behind.'

If you're looking for this installment to the same as their debut, you will be sadly mistaken as Phonte decides to replace rapping by showcasing his talent as a singer/songwriter. The album begins with the first single "Daykeeper," an eerily beautiful composition that is just as wonderfully haunting as the album's artwork. The cover is a black-and-white picture of chairs outside near a large body of water, looking like the beginnings of a wedding procession, but could very well be the setting of a funeral as well.

Nicolay's production has matured, as his thick backdrops are perfect for this soulful journey, something reminiscent of 4hero or Jamiroquai. Other songs like "House of Cards," "Sweeter Than You" and "If She Breaks Your Heart," all embody the same element of heavenly arrangements. If there was music to be heard in heaven, this may be it.

Phonte also steps back from the rapping only sprinkling raps in about three verses through the whole album. That doesn't take away from the project, but if you're looking for 'Leave It All Behind' to be a hip-hop record, then you may feel slightly under-whelmed. The inspiration of the boom-bap genre is apparent even without rapping, and it's apparent that Nic and Phonte made it a conscious decision to go beyond the field of rap.

'Leave It All Behind' is a welcoming return from the duo and it is an overall enjoyable record. Parts of me are partial to their previous effort, but it's more based on personal taste rather than flaws. 'Leave It All Behind' in all-accounts is a near-flawless soul record as Phonte proves that he is a singer to be reckoned with in his own right. It's great to hear artists still aiming to produce music that they feel, and their efforts will not be unnoticed by old and new fans alike. Hopefully this will gain them more attention and acclaim that they both deserve. -PJ