Nicolay and Kay- Time:Line

By: R.M. London

Released: ((2.12.2008))

Since the online foreign connection between MC, Phonte (Little Brother), and Producer, Nicolay, ignited into one of the most beloved albums of the past five years with "Connected" the Netherlands hip hop composer has been one of the most sought out beatsmiths in the game. Seeking him out on the same okayplayer.com messageboard Phonte did, Kay, a veteran southern spitter from the Lone Star state, teamed up with Nicolay for his debut solo album "The Talk Show." After collaborating on numerous soulful tracks the duo immediately realized they had amazing chemistry, which led to one of 2008's most anticipated albums on Nicolay's own imprint (Nicolay Music)-- Time: Line.

Time:Line, which can be seen as a conceptual album following an MC through various trials and tribulations of his everyday life and career, is a 12 track record that oozes sexy soul while covering a range of musical inspirations ranging from 1960's funk to 1980's "yacht rock." As the intro title track pops on and crowds your ears with a circus of sounds we meet the main character of this journey through time, Kay. With a strong mic presence, clear vocals, and crisp lyrics Kay might remind you a little bit of Phonte, but with a filtered swagger that allows you to pay more attention to the stories he is telling. Following the intro is "Blizzard," a funky track with blues guitar plucks, soulful singing, Little Richard-like screeches, and sweeping keys that pour all around Kay's vocals like a giant wave reaching the shore. "The Lights," one of the most memorable songs on the record that features S1 (Strange Fruit Project), Myth, and Nicole Hurst, is a jazzy dream that talks about an artist's struggle with the spotlight and the blinding lights that come with fame. It's a song like this that proves once again that Nicolay is one of the top producers in the game right now.

As the album continued, songs like "Through the Wind," with its thumping piano hits and quirky keyboard tricks, "What We Live," equipped with epic horns and an addicting hook, and "Tight Eyes," that drips in sultry sex as Kay maxes out his swagger over Nic's smooth pads and off kiltered sound effects, kept my attention and provided a perfect backdrop for my daytime ride on the Pacific Coast Highway. I couldn't help but notice numerous times how much of a perfect match Kay's voice is over any original soundscape Nicolay put down. Watch out Pete and CL.

One of my favorite parts about this record is the way each track melts into the other like raindrops sliding down a window. Not only does it make the album so easy to digest in one sitting, but it also adds to the concept of the album and makes the sonic timeline read like a gripping novel. While the final portion of the record soared through my car's speakers Nicolay continued to surprise me with the versatility of his production. "As the Wheel Turns" reminded me of a long lost 80's R&B hit, "The Gunshot" came out of nowhere with a reggae dancehall inspired track laced with a spanish guitar sample that brought it all together, and "Grand Theft Auto" picked up the pace of the album at the perfect time before it laid itself to sleep.

The final track "Dancing With the Stars" was the only low point of the entire album. Quirky, trippy, and screaming of experimental Outkast it didn't seem to fit with the rest with the rest of the tracks. Despite the one small setback, "Time:Line" never once hits a speed bump or heads the wrong direction. Cohesive, crisp, and at times beautiful-- Nicolay outdoes himself once again with dextrous and gorgeous foundations, and Kay proves to the hip hop world that he can handle the spotlight and still shine bright even when he wasn't considered the star of the album.

"Time:Line" is one of those rare hip hop gems that sneak up behind you and shocks your entire body. Smooth, sultry, and honest-- this is a record that is guaranteed to be stuck in your cd changer for awhile, and one that will hit a multitude of listeners. This is a must listen for all hip hop fans new and old, and a CD that everyone should hand over to their parents and say "this is what GOOD hip hop sounds like."

Favorite Tracks: The Lights, What We Live, Tight Eyes
What to do (Buy/Try/Frisbee): A Must Buy!
Digits: 8.5 // 10