The fRoots Critics Poll of 2009 has announced it's winner and congratulations go to Staff Benda Bilili at the top of the poll. We're really delighted that Martin's CD, "True Stories" is, at number 4, the highest placed artist from the UK Folk scene and are proud to be in such great musical company. 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. 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).

New Albums Of 2009 winners
1. Staff Benda Bilili Très Très Fort (Crammed)
2. Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba I Speak Fula (OutHere)
3. Oumou Sangare Seya (World Circuit)
4. Martin Simpson True Stories (Topic)
5. The Unthanks Here’s The Tender Coming (EMI/Rabble Rouser)
6. Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara Tell No Lies (Real World)
7. Tinariwen Imidiwan (Independiente)
8. Jackie Oates Hyperboreans (Unearthed/One Little Indian)
9. Khaled Liberté (Wrasse)
10. Spiro Lightbox (Real World)