The Foreign Exchange: Leave It All Behind

Little Brother frontman Phonte Coleman isn't just

smart or insightful, he's sometimes downright wise. Coleman has a genius for

delivering the kind of indelible, casually philosophical lyrics that take up

permanent residence in listeners' minds: He doesn't just drop lyrics, he drops

words of wisdom, ones to grow on. Imagine Kanye West with less ego and a

smoother, more accomplished flow. Coleman is one of rap's deepest, most

consistent lyricists, so it's more than a little disheartening that Leave It

All Behind, his

second album with Netherlands producer Nicolay as international super-duo The

Foreign Exchange, favors melody and mood over lyrics.

What Phonte has left behind here, alas, is

rapping. Where Foreign Exchange's transcendent debut featured a bravely pretty

hip-hop/soul mix, Leave It All Behind is a blissed-out soul album with occasional

hip-hop and electronic flourishes. Why do our greatest rappers always seem so

bored with rap Maxwell has a lovely singing voice, but too many of the songs

here blur into one big comforting bath of soothing synthesizers and sleepy

tempos. Nicolay has never been afraid to go soft and smooth, but his production

on Leave It

sometimes borders on easy listening. In these troubled times, hip-hop

desperately needs Coleman's wit, insight, and perspective. But the world can

probably go without one more silky, romantic crooner making proficient but

anonymous baby-making music.