It can be difficult to find quality hip-hop if you're not a DJ these days, especially if you're interested in hearing local talent. On this soundtrack for the new CBC hip-hop TV show, Drop The Beat, some of the top talents on both sides of the border have been assembled. Two of the tracks even feature cross-border collaborations, a rarity to be sure.

Production on this album varies from run-of-the mill to insane. Producers include Kardinal Offishall (who has been blazing beats lately), Day, Tai & Irv Gotti, Solitair, Rahzel, Marvel, DRK and Lankie, Jay Dee of the Ummah, Kemo, Frankie Ano, The Fishermen, Punch, Jay Rome and Ivana Santilli. And the nominees for banginest beat on this compilation are: Kardinal for "Husslin'," Jay Dee for "Dooinit," The Fishermen for "Illmath (Weapons)" and Kardinal for "The Chosen Are Few."

For the most part, the lyrics on this album are fairly good. You can always count on the Circle to represent lovely, and Kardinal, Solitair, Choclair, Saukrates and Marvel (in my opinion, one of the most underrated lyricists in Canada right now) don't disappoint. Excellent performances are also turned in by Mathematik, Dub-Ill, Infinite, Common, Bahamadia and Canibus. Thrust and Maestro both deliver adequate verses, but nothing new and nothing spectacular. The only truly weak lyrical performances come from Lil' Troy on the pathetic "Wanna Be A Baller," and Ja Rule, Tah Murdah & Black Child, who do nothing more than rehash the same old "murder, murder, murder, kill, kill, kill" lyrics.

There are very few tracks that really demand to be forwarded on this one. On the other hand, there are several gems you'll want to hear over and over like "Husslin'" by Kardinal, "Red Light District" by Marvel, "Dooinit" by Common, "Illmath (Weapons)," by Mathematik featuring Dub-Ill, "100 Bars" by Canibus and "The Chosen Are Few" by Thrust featuring Kardinal.

The final verdict: This album is a very strong compilation, featuring strong talents. It undoubtedly hits far more than it misses, and it's worth picking up just to have "Illmath," "Husslin'," "100 Bars," "Red Light District," and "Dooinit." There are a few unmistakeable misses on this one though, and those prevent this from being a Run.