Review by Choice Review
This anthology, compiled and partially written by Vernon Boggs, is a "participant-observer's attempt to understand one genre of Afro-Hispanic music: Salsa" (p. xiii). It contains historical and sociological articles (by a variety of authors), as well as interviews (conducted by Boggs) with musicians and music-industry figures. Some of the articles have bibliographies, as does the book itself. There is no index. Numerous photographs cover important performers, personalities, and venues. At least some of the articles presented here were not written for this volume; many however, provide valuable information and insight into the development of Afro-Hispanic music in the Caribbean and New York. Although at least three of the historical articles discuss Puerto Rican music exclusively, no discussion of the Puerto Rican-Cuban relationship is to be found. The ten interviews and one panel transcription are equally interesting and tedious. Unfortunately, they are presented with no historical or theoretical context. In spite of organizational and conceptual weaknesses, this work is of value and is accessible to students (and scholars) of Latin American and African American popular music at all levels. G. D. Booth; Kent State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
