The Power of Black Music: Interpreting its History from Africa to the United States.

Abstract

Floyd has written a path-breaking book on the development of African-American music and its influence in America. He shows how African myths and ritual - especially the ring-shout dances that were ubiquitous in West Africa - have underlain the development of all black music in America. It puts black music - and American music in general - into a new and exciting perspective.