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Album Review: Foreign Exchange - Leave it All Behind

Foreign Exchange
Leave It All Behind

Netherlands producer Nicolay, and MC, Phonte one half of Little Brother have come together for their second Foreign Exchange effort entitled Leave it All Behind. With Nicolay moving to North Carolina where Phonte is from and still resides, one would think studio sessions as opposed to the Internet and file sharing that occurred while Nicolay was stationed in the Netherlands would be more frequent. Wrong, the combo figured if it worked, why fix it? As well, with our current economic state where gas is $4.00 per/gallon even though they’re in the same state, money is money.

Lyrically we were all privy to Phonte’s singing qualifications on the first FE album in addition to the sample we received on the first LB album the Listening, and in this day in age where Andre3000, Pharrell, and as of recent Kanye West have flirted with expanding their lyricism to carry a melodic tune this is one of the best experiments from the aforementioned group of artists. Phonte delivers real time stories that everyone has or will experience and can relate to, the disturbing reality is since the disappearing acts of D’Angelo and until recently Maxwell there hasn’t been act[s] besides the usual suspects that have written vivid experiences of life and love. You won’t hear Tigallo talking about buying a drink or getting someone is his ride but you will hear stories with a clear, distinct and fresh Nicolay sound that is in the same vein as the debut FE album. Since his solo efforts and producing for other artists Nicolay meshes perfectly with the North Carolinian and they sound as if they’ve done this before.

FE also reintroduces the world to Washington, DC’s own Muhsinah, who was heavily featured on the album, if you don’t know her, she was recently on tour with Common as a background artist and singer and she has her own EP entitled Daybreak and she proves to play the perfect supporting role on tracks like “House of Cards” and “Daykeeper.” Overall, Leave it All Behind is more than an experiment but a work that stretches the possibilities of good music and makes people forget about the purpose of genres.

Tags: Muhsinah, Nicolay, Phonte, The Foreign Exchange

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R&B

Muhsinah Drops The The Oscillations: Sine

Muhsinah - Yiy

Watching Muhsinah’s career take off is like watching a child grow up.

I remember when Muhsinah dropped the Oscillations EP a few years go and became a DC favorite, but ever since then, she has officially blown up. Not only has she contributed to the glorious new Foreign Exchange album but she will also be featured on Common’s Universal Mind Control album. The Brooklyn-based (via DC, of course!) artist is continuing her do it yourself onslaught with two new LP releases. Part 1, The Oscillations: Sine is out now, and the The Oscillations: Triangle will be out this Winter. (via moovmnt)

Buy The Oscillations: Sine at iTunes.

Tags: Muhsinah

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Hip-Hop

Foreign Exchange Feat. Muhsinah - Daykeeper (Video)

Tags: Foreign Exchange, Muhsinah

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R&B

New Music: Foreign Exchange feat Muhsinah - ‘Daykeeper’

Foreign Exchange feat Muhsinah -  ‘Daykeeper’

Wow. I always doubted Phonte’s singing skills, but I’m pleasantly surprised by how this song went down. Of course Muhsinah compliments Phonte’s vocals over probably one of the best beats that Nicolay has ever created.

This may be the sleeper album of the year.

Download the track for FREE at the Foreign Exchange website.

Tags: Foreign Exchange, Muhsinah

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Pictures: J*Davey and Muhsinah at Bohemian Caverns

I want to introduce y’all to Tashir Lee, a long time reader of The Couch Sessions who answered the call for photographers. Tashir will be doing event and concert photography for the site, and maybe write as well cause his music knowledge is fiecre. The dude has photographed everyone from Questlove, to Q-Tip, to Robert Glasper. You will see more of his work on this site this summer so keep a look out!

More goodness from Thursday night’s show.

Muhsinah

Slimkat 78

Brook D’Leau

Miss Jack Davey

Bonus: Jack Davey on Ellen DeGeneres show (seriously?)

Tags: j*davey, Muhsinah, Slimkat 78

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Approved Artist Update: Muhsinah In Europe, Tour Dates

Couch Sessions Approved Artist and DC Homegirl Muhsinah is living it up in Europe as I type. She’s going to be at Gramaphone in London tonight with BBC 1Xtra’s Benji B and will hit up Vienna, Austria, and Dublin as well. She’ll be back in DC on April 18th, opening for Nicolay and Panacea at the Black Cat. Daybreak 2.0 is in stores now.

April 2nd - London, Gramaphone with Benji B
April 3rd - London, JazzRe:Freshed
April 5th - Vienna, Austria, Club U
April 9th - London, Favela Chic
April 12th - Dublin, Ireland, Whelans
April 18th - Washington, DC w/Nicolay, Black Cat
April 24th - Washington, DC, DC9
May 3rd - Philadelphia, PA, Black Lily Festival

http://www.myspace.com/muhsinah

Tags: Couch Sessions Approved Artist, Muhsinah

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