It's funny that Nicolay and Kay should name their album Time:Line because the expression "Oh, how times have changed" doesn't really apply to Nic. The Dutch producer infuses Time:Line with the same ol' smoothed-out R&B grooves that made Connected, his collaborative album with Phonte, an indie rap success.
Mixed Bag
To Nicolay's credit, Time:Line offers a potpourri of lush, organic sounds, soul-drenched instrumentation, and thick bass lines. Kay's style, which favors thoughtfulness over thuggery, complements Nicolay's positive production.
For the most part, the chemistry between these two yields magical moments. Kay's elegant but understated flow often leaves room for Nicolay to do some heavy lifting. "What We Live" flourishes with its synth-heavy bass and horn riffs; "Tight Eyes" shines with a thin coat of vintage soul sheen. There's also the reggae foray of "The Gunshot," which showcases the duo's versatility. Attempts at grimier tunes, like "Grand Theft Auto," however, sound ridiculous.
Noble Concept
Thematically, the album deals with preexistence, life, and afterlife. To that respect, the seamless transition between tracks makes Time:Line very easy to digest. But in the spirit of keeping the music tight and focussed, we wind up with an overbearing soundscape. After listening for a while, you'd swear you accidentally tuned into a neo-soul radio station.
'Time:Line' Is Not for Everyone
Time:Line is not for everyone. If you like your hip-hop funky, fuzzy, and drenched in plenty of R&B, Kay and Nicolay have you covered.
Top Tracks Released: February 19, 2008
