Azizi - re your question about the lack of African influence in British folk music. Just a theory here - perhaps it's because there were comparatively few people of African descent in the UK prior to the 'Afro-Caribbean' influx of the 20th century (comparatively with the US, that is). Whilst the British involved themselves heavily in the slave trade as suppliers of slaves, they didn't import African slaves in large numbers to the UK. Thus it's only from the 20th century onwards that a heavy black influence is being felt in music here, and it's mainly in the hip-hop/rap/soul/R&B fields, and very much from African-American/Afro-Caribbean sources.

Just my thoughts, but I'm sure someone will tell me I'm wrong!

S:0)