Nicolay, the production wizard behind last year’s phenomenal trans-Atlantic collaboration with Phonte of Little Brother (The Foreign Exchange “Connected”) and the highly in demand mixtape “The Dutch Masters Vol. 1” presents his latest masterpiece “City Lights Vol 1.5”.

Nicolay has produced songs that appeared on Rapper Pooh’s debut album “Sleepers”, Little Brother and Justus League Mixtapes (incl. Little Brother “Chittlin Circuit 1.5”), as well as working with underground artists like Supastition (“The Williams” from True Notes Vol. 1 –
Okayplayer Records).

“City Lights Volume 1.5” is a collection of refreshingly original instrumental songs blended together providing the perfect soundtrack to “The City”. The album features the standout instrumental songs “Indian Summer” and “Band Practice” along with the now famed instrumental track “Light It Up” which became Nicolay’s first collaboration with Little Brother. The album also features the inspiring track “Victory”. Comedic relief is provided by Lunchbox tha Narcoleptic who serves as host of “City Lights Volume 1.5”.

Initially offered as a very limited promotional CD on hiphopsite.com, BBE was pressed to officially release the album as a result of an overwhelming demand and cult like status that “City Lights Volume 1” attained. The album has been remastered and updated with 5 bonus songs that display a glimpse of Nicolay’s forthcoming artist album on to be released in 2006. After listening to “City Lights Vol 1.5” you will understand why Nicolay the Dutch master of Hip-Hop, is on the tip of everybody’s
tongues.

"Dutch wunderkind Nicolay's arrangements drip with pathos and snap with authenticity… " -Pitchforkmedia.com

“…Bubbling with soulful, mellow warmth, the resulting album “Connected” is both an exemplary program of Soulquarian groovology and a rewarding conceptual piece of people getting along in the face of adversity.
-XXL

"Through ethereal hip-hop soundscapes, Dutch producer Nicolay boasts remarkably impassioned beatwork. Little Brother's Phonte was among those enamored by his airy melodies and they paired (as Foreign Exchange) for last year's Connected album, which nabbed oodles of international props."
– URB’s Next 100