The Foreign Exchange
Leave It All Behind

“It’s not like it was before” – The Foreign Exchange, Daykeeper

Nicolay and Phonte have never had much respect for boundaries as The Foreign Exchange. They didn’t let the Atlantic Ocean get in the way of creating their remarkable debut “Connected” and for their second album they’ve surpassed an even bigger obstacle in their quest to push music forward: hip hop. The result is a stunning progression from “Connected” that’s overflowing with passion and creativity.

Phonte’s decision to sing rather than rap for all but 16 bars of “Leave It All Behind” is a big step, but it shouldn’t have come as a complete surprise given his past incarnation as Percy Miracles and the hooks he’s sung in Little Brother. Phonte can sing, and he can sing well, and the emotion he pours into every track gives “Leave It All Behind” a power that wouldn’t have been possible if he’d stayed within his comfort zone.

From the first dreamy chords of ‘Daykeeper’ you’re transported into the warmth and tenderness of a romantic mood that doesn’t lift until the final strains of the title track depart. It’s blissful music that embraces as many influences and nuances as you’d expect from a producer of Nicolay’s eclecticism while always retaining his signature symphonic sound. Even the most aggressive track, “House Of Cards”, is so beautifully arranged that it’s hard to be depressed by the pounding rhythms and overtly pessimistic message.

The one constant in this record is love. “Leave It All Behind” portrays it in all its stages, from seduction (Take Off The Blues) to enchantment (Daykeeper) to breaking up (Valediction) and back again. It’s most neatly encapsulated in “All Or Nothing/Coming Home to You”, which begins with Phonte being sent to sleep on the couch (‘I wanted to play Xbox on the big TV anyway’) but ends with him cooing ‘say you love me’ over the reconciliatory and uplifting second part of the doubleheader.

And just as love is a game for two, it’s when The Foreign Exchange invite someone else to the party that things really take off. Darien Brockington lends his support on the idyllic “Take Off The Blues” (set off perfectly by a trumpet line to die for) while the female guests, Musinah and Yahzarah, dovetail perfectly with Phonte. It all comes together on the serene Stevie cover “If She Breaks Your Heart”, led by the honeyed voice of Yahzarah and a serene, stripped production that slips into a funkier breakdown with Phonte repeating ‘love is gone with yesterday’ over flute arpeggios. It’s wonderful.

Amongst all the beauty, there’s one standout track that should break The Foreign Exchange to a larger audience : “Something To Behold”. It’s a relentlessly upbeat track, propelled by a pumping bassline that’s an ode to the power of love and the joy that it (and fried chicken) brings. It’s followed by the closing number, “Leave It All Behind”, a lullaby to a sleeping child that brings the album full circle in mood and tone with the theme of coming home to the one you love. The combination of flute, horns, gently fizzing drums and vocal harmonies is irresistible, much like the rest of the album.

Not to harp on about about love too much (just be thankful I didn't base the whole review on an extended metaphor about Common's "I Used To Love H.E.R.") “Leave It All Behind” really is a lovely record – lovely sounding, lovingly crafted, a real pleasure to listen to. Its quality is as elusive and hard to pin down as the love it depicts, but equally rewarding.

You can download the album sampler (and release details) @ The Foreign Exchange site here: LIAB sampler