Hardcore pedal pushing rap is what this feel good record is all about. Canadian MC, Abdominal’s twisted lyrics spun under funk and jazzy grooves cycle through your mind at a mad rate. Rapping to hyperventilate is the Abdominal motto, confessed in ‘Breathe Later’ and ‘Abdominal Workout’. Sticking to old school rhymes which are funny, clever and positively addictive, ‘Escape from the Pigeon Hole’ is true to the form of the D.A.I.S.Y era. Less about the mundane bling and more conscientious intrigues, this is one album you know you want to heavily blast out and share with the rest of the world.

Facing the type of adversity which would have undoubtedly seen the demise of a lesser band; the loss of Little Barrie’s drummer – Wayne Fullwood - in the past year has had quite the reverse effect on the bluesy/soul/rock three piece. Seemingly, it has instilled the band with a determination which has resulted in the creation of one of 2007’s first must-have albums. Little Barrie’s sophomore offering, ‘Stand Your Ground’ is a remarkable example of triumph over adversity, which saw the band recruiting some heavyweight help in the process. Much of the album was produced in New York under the watchful eye of genius beat maker Dan ‘The Automator’ Nakamura, with Russell Simms of the ‘Blues Explosion’ taking drumming duties during stateside recording sessions. These two inspired hook-ups have given Little Barrie a far more streamlined sound. Fans of the band’s debut album ‘We are Little Barrie’ need not fear; the original template is still intact - funky as hell with the same bruised soulful vocals - and the influences are still clear. There has simply been a subtle shift from the overtly retro lo-fi filtered sound of the first album, in favour of a crisper more rounded sound. Gun for hire, Barrie Cadogen’s virtuoso freelance fretwork for Primal Scream and Morrissey has clearly not gone to waste; ensuring a pleasantly surprising evolution in a band that could have easily become a one trick pony. Soul for the 21st century.