Blur's frontman has continued to explore new creative outlets

The name of the group, which also includes drummer Tony Allen, has not yet been revealed.

They are due to release a first single in October, followed by an album entitled The Good The Bad and The Queen in January 2007.

The band are expected to play their first live date in October.

Albarn found fame in the 1990s with Blur, whose breakthrough Parklife album was arguably one of the defining records of the Britpop phenomenon.

He went on to greater international success with Gorillaz, the cartoon band he formed in 2001 with animator Jamie Hewlett.

It was announced earlier this year that Albarn is also writing a stage musical about Notting Hill.

The collaboration with award-winning playwright Roy Williams is due to open at London's National Theatre next year.