Ensyght

KC’s Raenaldo “Ensyght” Torres splits the difference between poetry and hip-hop on Quiet Nites, which gyrates between a cappella spoken-word musings and rhythmic raps set to atmospheric backing tracks. A veteran of area slams and open-mic nights, Ensyght’s prose is marinated in local flavors, including references to Bannister Mall and the intersection of Troost and Linwood. Ensyght’s literary leanings mandate an emphasis on lyrical swordplay, and he continually bends words into new shapes and toys with turns of phrase.

The S.G.-helmed “Rock Tah This” bounces like a bad check, but Ensyght’s winking boasts exhibit a flair for the absurd: Hit you in your sternum so hard your nipples touch … I’ll crush you like Fat Joe’s toilet seat. “Eff You” finds him claiming to be a hustler of knowledge who steals books from libraries. On “Rooted Deeply,” he deftly trades verses with Rhyme Heavy while Miles Bonny lays down a clip-clopping backing track that could be the soundtrack to Beat Street as directed by Sergio Leone.

Despite these highlights, the poetic MC falls short of delivering a masterpiece. Ensyght has a terrific voice, but his delivery is unremarkable, and his sermonic, take-your-vitamins advice doesn’t allow the escapism that freeing one’s mind is purported to offer.