Exclusive Damon Albarn interview

Blur are heading back into the studio next week to record an EP of new material, confounding sceptics who thought Think Tank would be their last record.

Damon Albarn told 6 Music he's currently juggling three different projects: the Blur EP, an album he's set to record in Nigeria with surviving members of Fela Kuti's band and a Gorillaz record he described as "pure unadulterated pop fun".

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the 21st birthday of the London Community Gospel Choir, who sang on the Blur song Tender, he also revealed that he's genuinely keen to get Graham Coxon back in the band.

He said: "Blur's like a family with one brother no-one talks to... It is a realistic prospect - the only reason he's not in the band is because he didn't feel he was getting enough say. We're totally capable of making music together. I can forget about all the other things."

Several of the songs he's working on will be familiar to anyone who bought Democrazy, the album of half-finished tracks and works in progress he recorded on the road in America. He said: "The song actually called Democrazy has evolved into a fantastic song with Tony [Allen].

A couple of them have gone to nearly-polished Gorillaz pop gems now, and I'm doing an EP with Blur and a couple will go there."

Of the three projects, it seems likely the Blur EP will be released first. The songs are all written, but won't take shape properly until next week, when the band will go into the studio, once again with Ben Hillier, to record them.

Damon said: "Why make an EP? So I don't get too much hassle from Alex really. I know roughly what I want... but that's one nice thing about having something that's been consistent throughout my life, is that it's going to sound a certain way really. Sometimes that's quite a relief."

The Nigerian collaboration will take a little longer. He's flying out to Africa later this month to work in Fela Kuti's studio, together with his drummer Tony Allen and other members of the legendary Afro-beat pioneer's band.

Damon described how the project's taking shape: "They're all my songs and I'm singing, so there will be focus on me, but we'll have a name that isn't my name. I don't believe in the idea of a solo record.

"I'm looking for a country guitarist at the moment. There's gonna be a lot of slide guitar - sort of Afro-country."

As for Gorillaz, Damon said that he's planning to use The Bees as a house band for his new set of tunes. He added: "I've been working with Dangermouse. It's gonna be great. Gorillaz is just pure unadulterated pop fun for me."

Fans waiting for a new Blur album or tour may have to hang on a while longer though. He told 6 Music that "After I've done these records I'm going to take a long time out, possibly to work in theatre for a few years."

Andrew Purcell

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