Here's what's in fRoots No. 310, April 2009

THE 2009 FESTIVAL SUPPLEMENT

38 pages of this year's UK and mainland European folk, roots and world music events, including a full diary listing. See the online listing.

THE EDITOR’S BOX

Ian Anderson’s comment column.

fROOTS PLAYLIST

Recent stuff we like.

CHARTS & LISTS

Specialist and general roots music album sales and airplay charts.

REVIEWS

Our key section reviewing all the latest CDs and more - loads bite the dust. No punches pulled!

ROOTING ABOUT

What’s happening: packed pages of festivals, gigs, tours, radio, CDs and all kinds of roots-related stuff. The most you’ll find anywhere…

COMPETITION

Win Mawkin:Causley CDs

ROOT SALAD

A cross-section of featurettes: New York's Afro-influenced indie band Vampire Weekend; Brazilian percussionist about town Adriano Adewale; Pan-Sephardic band Los Desterrados; Australian singer songwriter Geoffrey Gurumul Yunupingu; New Zealand's Ariana Tikao; and Jon Boden in the Rocket Launcher.

JOBS FOR THE BOYS

With their first album due any minute now, Mawkin:Causley talk masterplans to Colin Irwin. And get their kit off (and on again) for photos by Judith Burrows!

MORRIS MAJOR

‘Morris: A Life With Bells On’ is an affectionate English comedy film that’s fast gaining a cult following. Will they be dancing the Threeple Hammer Damson at next year’s Oscars? Colin Irwin gets the background.

CHINESE BURN

Ever-questing bassist Jah Wobble has investigated punk, reggae, Arabic, Celtic, Laotian and English music and much more. The Chinese Dub Orchestra might just be his best project yet, reckons Jamie Renton.

SLEIGHT OF HAND

They have legions of devoted fans and some fanatical detractors too, so they must be doing something right! Colin Irwin plays devil’s advocate with Steve Knightley and Phil Beer, a.k.a. Show Of Hands.

JUMBIE RHYTHM

African roots are alive and well in the Trinidad Carnival. David Katz was very taken with the stilt walking Moko Jumbies and pounding Rhythm Sections…

SPIRIT LEVELLER

Zimbabwe’s Chiwoniso mixes the roots of mbira music with the R&B and rock she heard while growing up in the USA. Rose Skelton traces her learning curve.

BIFF!

Our exclusive cartoon tries to find a way into festivals.

THE FAMILY GONGS

Jim Moray and Jackie Oates pick up theirs.