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.