Cornwall-based illustrator and musician Nick Radford (aka Frootful) and his band of talented sidekicks are about to hit select spots across the UK with a double whammy of music and art this December as part of The Frootful Art Ensemble’s autumn tour.

The band is heading out on the road again after the success of debut album Colours to promote new single ‘Slowtime’, released this November on Freestyle Records. Featuring a luscious bossa nova reworking on the original – complete with Angeline Morrison’s stunning vocals – on one side, and a heavy, drum-laden remix by Lack of Afro on the other, the single also includes a limited-edition vinyl run in beautifully hand screen-printed sleeves.

The Frootful Art Ensemble played sell-out shows in London and Cornwall earlier this year after the release of Colours, which was also Jazz FM’s Album of the Week. XFM’s John Kennedy has already raved about the new single as “fantastic” and “superb”, too.

Frootful’s 1960s inspired soul, mixed with jazz, latin and R&B influences has been described as a “great blend of vintage-hipster and contemporary sounds” (Burnt Toast Radio Show) and a “choice slice of dancefloor mod soul” (WESU 88.1 FM). Meanwhile, cult music magazine Blues & Soul calls it a “varied display of styles from early-60’s R&B soul, to be-bop, to funk, to 60’s soul-jazz, and even a bit of skinhead reggae. Sounds both authentic AND contemporary. A fantastic project." What’s not to like?

With December dates in London (7^th), Bath (14^th) and Liverpool (15^th), Miss Peapod’s in Penryn (10^th) is the only Cornish venue (a secret date is yet to be announced, fingers crossed it’s in Cornwall). We’re already dusting off our dancing shoes for the Peapods show – the last Frootful gig there was rammed to the rafters, so be sure to get down early.

However, if you can’t make any of the live shows, there are two Frootful Art Ensemble illustration exhibitions by Nick, Bobby Telegramme and Millie Marotta showing at the howies shop in Carnaby Street (London, 1-30 November) and HAND beer bar (Falmouth, 1-31 December).

For audio samplers, tour details and more info on The Frootful Art Ensemble, visit www.frootful.co.uk/music

Frootful on iTunes

Frootful Facebook page

Follow Frootful on Twitter

Watch Chris Mannell’s September film, with a soundtrack by Frootful: