"This unique and thoroughly researched resource provides a dynamic and in depth perspective on world music... It strikes a balance between wonderful illustrations and comprehensive, scholarly entries. Each regional volume includes a CD sampler of that region's music. This source will have wide appeal to both the novice and expert." -- Dartmouth Medal Committee"One of the most impressive coverages in print. Essential to any world music library." -- The Bookwatch"Fans will be able to refer to these informative books for the rest of their lives. It is unlikeley that anything will appear in that time to surpass them." -- Cover"The most comprehensive and readable African music guide ever created." -- Pulse"Complete, concise, and informative. Enormously useful and instructive, a necessity for all libraries." -- MultiCultural Review"A fascinating, informative presentation describing what may be to Westerners the most unfamiliar music of the world. Unique in its scope and viewpoint.A must purchase for all academic music libraries, and, indeed, for any academic or large public library with a clientele of anthropologists, linguists, historians, sociologists, or Africanists." -- Reference Books Bulleting/Booklist"This is a significant volume containing significant and timely research.. It belongs in all academic music libraries." -- Choice