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The Rough Guide to Cuban Music (Rough Guide Music Guides)

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This Rough Guide packs far more information in its pocket sized format than most of the other currently available full-sized books on the topic of Cuban Jazz. Most other books on the topic would have you think that Cuban music began with Desi Arnaz and ended with the now graying artists featured in Buena Vista Social Club. This Rough Guide discusses Son, Bolero, Mambo and other musical styles, describing their origin and the (not widely known) artists who first popularized them. And ... it picks up with the new generation of musicians that bring that work current. I used the book's comprehensive descriptions (together with Amazon's "Listen to Samples" features) -- to build a broad collection that begins at the beginning and ends at the end.

Plilip Sweeny takes us on a journey through Cuba's rich musical heritage. In this compact edition, the reader is introduced to the major musical elements and artists that contributed to the development of Cuba's contemporary music culture. In addition, this booklet is a great guide to the recordings that capture Cuba's musical traditions of Rumba, Son, Bolero, Trova, and the music that emerged throughout the 20th century.
This is guide is a must have for the enthusiast of Cuban music.