THE first York Carnival of World Music takes to the city-centre streets of York on Sunday with a new headline act freshly in place.

African musician Robert Maseko will be promoting his imminent album, African Keen, in his 7.30pm performance in Parliament Street, York.

Festival committee chairman Jessica Brand is delighted by the late addition.

"After the original article on the carnival in York Twenty4Seven, I received an e-mail from That Phat Planet, who distribute world music from their base in York, and they put me in touch with Robert Maseko's agent. It will be a special evening concert for York Carnival," she says.

Born in Kinshasa, Congo of Bantu roots, Maseko is the cream of a new generation of African soukous and rhumba vocalists. After touring throughout Africa and in Europe, Australia and Japan, he settled in Britain in the mid-1990s and released La Cremaria, an album played by Radio One presenter John Peel.

Maseko has received the ATOM award from the Performing Right Society Foundation and has performed alongside such heavyweights as Papa Wemba, Youssou N'Dour and George Benson.

"York Carnival provides a great opportunity to hear songs from Robert's new album, African Keen, before its official launch date," says Jessica. "Any audience at a Maseko concert is guaranteed a good time because this is music you must dance to."

Sunday's carnival is free event coordinated by a University of York committee - chairman Jessica is a third-year music student and saxophone player - with support from the university's Active York fund for community projects.

The day begins with an hour-long procession of musicians with banners and masks, which sets off from Dean's Park at 12.30pm on a route through College Street, Goodramgate, Church Street, Parliament Street, High Ousegate, Spurriergate, Coney Street, St Helen's Square and Davygate. The finish will be at St Sampson's Square at 1.30pm approximately.

Performances follow in Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square from 2pm to 7pm, and world music and dance workshops will be held between the same times in King's Square.

Eleven York primary schools are participating in the carnival's education project, which culminates in the Big Sing, led by world music choir Chechelele at 3pm in Parliament Street. The Djol Drummers and Scarcroft Pocket Rocket Drummers lead an open jam session in the same location at 6.45pm, when anyone is welcome to join in.

World music CDs will be on sale throughout the carnival day in St Sampson's Square, where there also is the chance to make your own mask. The First Aid, lost child and general information points will be located there too.

Updated: 16:26 Thursday, April 29, 2004