Music in Latin American Culture: Regional Traditions

There has long been a need for a scholarly, comprehensive, affordable english language text addressing Latin American music. "Music in Latin American Culture Regional Traditions" provides a schoarly look at the diverse musical cultures of Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Each chapter is written by an expert in the field who has first hand experiences with the culture they are discussing. The text covers music rituals, instrument manufacturing, improvisation techniques and culural/social history of the topic under discussion. The bibliography/discography at the end of each chapter is extensive. This text is geared towards the undergraduate student and is similar in context to Jeff Todd Titon's "Worlds of Music: An Introduction to the Music of the World's Peoples" by the same publisher. My only criticism of the book that the Cuban and Puerto Rican contributions to Latin American Music are not covered as thoroughly as they deserve. I believe that although each is mentioned in the text that they, too, deserve an entired chapter in the text.....maybe in the next edition. With the exception of this perceived oversight, the "Music in Latin American Culture Regional Traditions" is an excellent book, filling a much needed gap in scholarly writing on Latin American Music and is a wonderful introduction for those seeking to study the musics of Latin America.