The Foreign Exchange Brings A Feel-Good Review To The Roxy
I first heard of The Foreign Exchange from Garth Trinidad’s show on KCRW. He was playing a track from a Mushroom Jazz CD called “Nic’s Groove.” I was drawn to the groovy blend of hip-hop, R&B, with a touch of house, and wanted to hear more. So I picked up not one but two copies of their debut album Connected — the original CD and the equally impressive instrumental-only version — and became a fan.
These discs and the band’s recent follow-up, Leave It All Behind, deftly blend so many sounds that I had no idea what their live show would look or feel like.
Led by North Carolina rapper Phonte with groundbreaking production from Dutch trip-hop producer Nicolay – the duo made Connected swapping vocals and beats over the Internet — this is a band that simply doesn’t draw between the lines.