The fRoots Critics Poll Albums Of The Year nominees have been announced today. Every year since 1986 (when the first winner was Paul Simon's Graceland) fRoots has polled experts in the UK and abroad to decide the Album Of The Year in folk, roots & world music. With over 300 writers, broadcasters and activists on the panel, it is established internationally as the most extensively researched and prestigious annual poll of its kind. GondwanaSound is proud to be part of the panel. Read on for full list of nominees.
When the BBC instigated their Awards For World Music in 2001, the fRoots Critics Poll was incorporated into them as the Album Of The Year. It's "The best researched guide to the key world roots albums of the year" (BBC Radio 3). Read more.....
All the winners to date can be found at http://www.frootsmag.com/pollwinners
The BBC ceased its Awards For World Music after 2007, and so the fRoots Critics Poll Albums Of The Year continue in their own right as the de facto flagship industry awards. They have wide support including from all the previous partners in the BBC Awards and since last year have Amazon.co.uk as retail partner.
Voting has been completed, and below are the nominees for the New Album Of 2009 and Best Reissue Or Compilation Of 2009.
This year's winners will be revealed exclusively by BBC Radio 3 in a special edition of World On 3 broadcast from 11.15 pm on Friday 4th December, hosted by Lopa Kothari and with fRoots editor Ian Anderson as guest. Full details including the Best Packaged Album winner will appear in a dedicated Amazon.co.uk section from 5th December, and in the Jan/Feb 2009 double issue of fRoots published in mid-December.
NEW ALBUM OF 2009: NOMINEES
Listings alphabetical
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba: I Speak Fula (OutHere)
Jackie Oates: Hyperboreans (Unearthed/One Little Indian)
Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara: Tell No Lies (Real World)
Khaled: Liberté (Wrasse)
Martin Simpson: True Stories (Topic)
Oumou Sangare: Seya (World Circuit)
Spiro: Lightbox (Real World)
Staff Benda Bilili: Très Très Fort (Crammed)
Tinariwen: Imidiwan (Independiente)
The Unthanks: Here's The Tender Coming (EMI)
RE-ISSUE OR COMPILATION OF 2009: NOMINEES
Listings alphabetical
Chris Wood: Albion (RUF)
Franco & Le TPOK Jazz: Francophonic Vol. 2 (Stern's)
Various: Legends Of Benin (Analog Africa)
Various: Panama! 2 (Soundway)
Various: Three Score & Ten: A Voice To The People (Topic)
Woody Guthrie: My Dusty Road (Rounder)
The winner of Best Packaged Album of 2009 will be announced on 5th December.
