08001

08001 is a project overseen by Julian Urigotia, who brings in instrumentalists from Spain and the UK for this third album under the name. Assembled in Barcelona and London, No Pain No Gain, brings together the likes of singer Ghetto Priest from Hackney, Amriruddah, a bass player from Asian Dub Foundation and singer Natasha Drum - also both from London.

In Barcelona, the likes of keyboardist and trumpeter Carlos Sarduy and drummer Carlos Lopez were recruited. Another vocalist was brought in too, with Nikole Kollars joining the party. For such a diverse and seemingly thrown together 'band', No Pain No Gain has a surprisingly cohesive feel. That might be down to Dave Bascombe (Tears for Fears and Depeche Mode to name just two) - who oversaw the mixing.

The theme for the album is one of wounded cities and hard times - with a sense of travel and feeling of homelessness - but that nomadic intention is kept in check with a super shiny production that keeps everything here smooth and silky. Opener Children Rise sets the mood, with a dark, dub like feel - underneath sensual female vocal. There is an element of Seal about Red Rose, while the title track has an insistent groove that is hard to shake.

There is also a worthiness about some of the lyrics, with Divide And Conquer and Mystic Music Man having a feel of a call to arms about them. Then there is the poppy Shine On, with sharp rhythm and catchy guitar before the Maxwell feel of Mr Cop. 08001 is described as an urban record - but its feel is far more mainstream. Hardly a note is out of place across the 40 minutes. A surprising and interesting album.