After having seen his fellow Canadians rock it to the top (Choclair, Saukrates, Kardinal Offishall), Marvel finally returns to drop a 12″ for the T-Dot. “Throw This Ball” has a questionable hook – sh*t is just a little corny – but I can’t front on the slow-tempo, lumbering beat by Saukrates. And Marvel comes in with some deftness, trying to work with a slight basketball metaphor: “chill/my perspective/keeps me erected/only direction is forward/no more words from the benches.” Better than average braggadocio.

Marvel handles his own track for “Red Light District” and the slinky funk is a welcome surprise as is Marvel’s verses. I was expecting some boring chick flicks ala Choclair, but Marvel pens a morality tale instead about life on the wrong side of the tracks. And last but not least is the smooth, jazzy “Wordz Of..” (produced by Kardinal Offishall), a sly think-piece and showcase for Marvel’s gliding glibness. Great way to end a strong 12″.