A band formed by former Dexys Midnight Runners guitarist Kevin “Al” Archer has released its first album – 20 years after it was recorded.

Apples And Oranges, by Blue Ox Babes, has so far sold 1,000 copies after being launched by London-based Cherry Red records.

“It’s very exciting,” says Kevin, now 50. “I thought it would never come out.

“It’s actually more exciting for me than the success with Dexys. Although we got to number one, this was something we made 20 years ago.”

Blue Ox Babes was formed by Kevin, who lives in Cradley Heath, after he quit Dexys in 1981. A year earlier, Dexys had hit number one in the UK charts with Geno, which Archer co-wrote with Wolverhampton-born lead vocalist Kevin Rowlands.

The new album is on sale through www.cherryred.co.uk