TSOL is the third album from Canadian rapper Shad, and follows on from 2005's When This Is Over and 2007's The Old Prince.

The Son of Rwandan immigrants, Shad invested time in his craft while growing up in London, Canada. It was during these formative years that he immersed himself in hip-hop culture, awestruck by the music of true-school graduates like Common, Rass Kass and Outkast. Reared on these dynamic sounds, whilst diligently pursuing an education, his character is an even-keeled amalgam of these influences, glaringly manifested on the introspective, multi-faceted TSOL.

The new album is released on the back of the singles 'Yaa I Get It' and 'Rose Garden' (which features Lisa Lobsinger on vocals) - two completely varied tracks that illustrate Shad's diversity.

While 'Yaa I Get It' is your traditional rap track, 'Rose Garden' has more '60s soulful roots.

Highlights for me include the aforementioned 'Rose Garden', 'A Good Name' (which charts Shad's family background); 'Call Waiting (Interlude)'; 'At the Same Time' (another chilled out lounge rap); and 'We, Myself and I' (which ups the tempo).

For hip-hop and rap fans, it doesn't come a lot better than this.

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Nick Smithson