Review by Choice Review
This is a scholarly yet readable analysis of Nigerian juju music, from its beginnings in the 1930s to the modern styles. From sakara to synchrosystem, Waterman provides insight into the social, cultural, political, and economic contexts in which each style developed, became popular, and was ultimately replaced by newer styles. Two chapters focus on the contexts themselves: one in which Waterman analyzes the general cultural scene surrounding juju performances and one in which the details of a specific performance are provided. These provide nice balance to the historical-development chapters. Throughout there is an emphasis on the ways in which complementary forces of traditionalism and modernity are exemplified in the development of juju. One also emerges with a clear sense of the role that juju has played in the emergence of a pan-Yoruba identity. A tape recording accompanies the book. Providing such a tape is an excellent idea and contributes significantly to the book. Both general and academic readership, undergraduate and up. H. Ottenheimer Kansas State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
