SWING Out Sister have returned to the pop scene with a successful 10th studio album 'Where Our Love Grows' and a UK tour, which takes in Manchester next month.

One of the keys to the band's success lies in their consummate flair for mixing homegrown pop and exotic rhythms, soaring string and vocal arrangements and a sprinkling of R&B. Two decades after their first hit single 'Breakout', 'Where Our Love Grows' is a mature return to their blistering form of the late 80s, when their releases would regularly reach the Top 20s of the US, Japan and UK charts.

The group still includes seductive singer Corinne Drewery and multi-talented instrumentalist Andy Connell, as well as original producer Paul Staveley O'Duffy.

Classically trained and originally influenced by Bacharach, Barry and Morricone, Andy worked with A Certain Ratio before a chance meeting with Corinne in Manchester's legendary Hacienda club in 1984. St Martin's College graduate fashion designer Drewery found musical inspiration in Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross and Dusty Springfield. They were rewarded with 'Breakout' (1986), (a number one debut album, 'It's Better To Travel',), 'Surrender' (1987) and 'Am I The Same Girl' (1992).

With a live line-up that re-unites The Sons Of Samarkand, the original band that contributed to the sound of their 'Living Return' and 'Live at The Jazz Cafe' albums, they promise to light up the dancefloor.

Swing Out Sister play the Life Cafe on Friday April 8. Tickets are £15 in advance.