Abs (no, not that one, although if the former 5ive man was to deign us worthy of a solo effort, this would have been a perfect album title) is a Toronto MC. Born Andy Bernstein, Escape From The Pigeon Hole is his debut long-player. Although Abdominal’s hardly a rookie at the mike.

Bernstein formed his first rap crew with DJ Serious as a teen, before teaming up with DJ Fase in 1999. From 2003 to 2005 they supported Jurassic 5 in Europe, toured with Ugly Duckling, opened for Roy Ayers, De La Soul and Blackalicious, and brightened up Glastonbury, Leeds and Reading Festivals. And they still found time to release 2004’s well-received Flowtation Device.

Fase is on production duties once more for Escape From The Pigeon Hole. Along with DJs Format and Serious, Cut Chemist, and Young Einstein. Their touch is faultless.

The same can’t be said for Abdominal’s lyrics which border on the trivial. Does a past life as a cycle courier, one of many monotonous examples, really warrant a track dedicated to it in ‘Pedal Pusher’? Arguably the best track is ‘Breathe Later’ where Bernstein raps 16 bars without taking a break – a trick which the MC admits took 100+ takes in the studio to master.

Delivery wise, Abs impresses. He just has to live a bit to come up with some more interesting stories. Failing that, he could always introduce a new gimmick to carry his next release.

(3˝/5)