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Cadence Weapon is Rollie Pemberton, a 19-year-old rapper with rhymes in his blood, the funk on his brain and a good handle on the importance of razor-sharp beats. It's easy to see why Breaking Kayfabe collected so many wows on its 2006 release in the rapper's native Canada. When former hip-hop reviewer Pemberton starts to roll, you realise he's found an interesting middle ground between commercial hip-hop's overt blingism and underground hip-hop's cloying and distractive emphasis on keeping it (un)real. Pemberton just concentrates on slinging one sure shot after another, from the hugely enticing stomp of Black Hand to the lyrically dexterious swing of Oliver Square. It's his rhythmical zingers, like the ones he discharges with great aplomb on Grim Fandango, for instance, which you'll be chuckling over when this album ends. The most exciting hip-hop joint in an age. www.cadenceweaponmusic.com   JIM CARROLL

Download tracks: Black Hand, Sharks