Have you ever wondered where the music that moves you truly comes from? And the Roots of Rhythm Remain takes you on an extraordinary journey through the global origins of the sounds that define our lives.
Written by legendary producer Joe Boyd—who worked with icons like Nick Drake, R.E.M., and Pink Floyd—this book uncovers the hidden connections between seemingly unrelated musical traditions. You'll discover how the accordion flourish that opened Paul Simon's Graceland album wasn't just a creative choice, but part of a centuries-long conversation between cultures that spans continents and decades.
From Havana's vibrant dance halls to Kingston's reggae studios, from Budapest's concert halls to Rio's samba clubs, Boyd shows us how jazz, rock 'n' roll, and rhythm and blues would never have existed without the notes and rhythms emanating from over the horizon. It's a story that connects the tango on the eve of World War I with Latin dance across the '30s, '40s and '50s, and Indian ragas that changed rock and roll in the 1960s.
This isn't your typical music history book. Drawing from over a decade of travel, research, interviews, and deep listening, Boyd reveals how personalities, events, and politics in places like Lagos, Kingston, and Rio were as colorful and momentous as anything that happened in Laurel Canyon or Liverpool. It's a symphonic celebration of how the world's music shapes our collective identity.
Whether you're a casual listener who loves discovering new music or a dedicated student of musical history, this book will forever change how you listen to your favorite songs. You'll hear the echoes of ancient traditions in modern hits, recognize the global conversations happening in familiar melodies, and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of sounds that make up our world.
Winner of the prestigious ASCAP Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Book Award in Pop Music, this is the perfect companion for anyone who believes that great music has no borders—and that the best stories are written in notes, not words.
