• Book (400g) 9780857862525£18.99
      In stockAdd to Bag

    How Music Works is David Byrne's bestselling, buoyant celebration of a subject he has spent a lifetime thinking about. Drawing on his own work over the years with Talking Heads, Brian Eno, and his myriad collaborators - along with journeys to Wagnerian opera houses, African villages, and anywhere music exists - Byrne shows how music emerges from cultural circumstance as much as individual creativity. It is his magnum opus, and an impassioned argument about music's liberating, life-affirming power.

    Other Releases on

    Rebel SoundsMusic as Resistance
    'Empathy is the currency of all music and Joe Mulhall does a great job of explaining how that quality has been used to generate solidarity for the struggle...
      • Book (350g) 9781804442241£10.99
        In stockAdd to Bag
      Jamie Lidell & Luke SchneiderA Companion For The Spaces Between Dreams
      Jamie Lidell and Luke Schneider have created a kind of sonic tool to navigate a liminal state of mind. Their new collaborative LP, A Companion For The...
        • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) 0309272740004£26.00
          In stockAdd to Bag
        I Hear Music In The StreetsNew York 1969-89
        Capturing the energy of New York City's music subcultures—across hip-hop, punk and rap—through an array of snapshots by photographers including...
          • Book (1.4kg) 9788410024687£48.00
            In stockAdd to Bag
          Punk: The Last WordBy Chris Sullivan and Stephen Colegrave
          'A thoroughly enjoyable compendium of appalling behaviour.' Nick Logan, Editor NME (1973-1978), founder of The Face 'From the shabby stowaways of the...
            Freedom Rhythm and Sound Chapter 2 EVENTThu 18 Dec 2025
            Gilles Peterson + Stuart Baker (Soul Jazz Records) + Special GuestsAn evening of conversation, music and visuals 7.30-10pm Thu 18 Dec 2025 at The American...
              Don CherryEternal Now
                • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) 0889397842314£17.00
                  In stockAdd to Bag
                Don CherryHear & Now
                  • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) 0889397842512£17.00
                    In stockAdd to Bag
                  Ellis ReginaO Bem Do Amor
                    • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) 7427255403500£18.99
                      In stockAdd to Bag
                    The Other Side : A Journey into Women, Art and the Spirit World
                    In an illuminating blend of memoir and art history, The Other Side explores the lives and work of a group of extraordinary women artists. From the twelfth-century...
                      Soul Jazz Records hoodie (navy)
                      Brand new Soul Jazz Records Functional Outer Wear Product #1 Exclusive to Sounds of the Universe Limited edition navy hoodie (large) with design.
                        The Second Sex (Vintage Feminism Short Edition)by Simone de Beauvoir
                        Vintage Feminism: classic feminist texts in short formWITH AN INTRODUCTION BY NATALIE HAYNESWhen this book was first published in 1949 it was to outrage...
                          Beneath the UnderdogBy Chalrles Mingus
                          Bass player extraordinaire Charles Mingus, who died in 1979, is one of the essential composers in the history of jazz, and Beneath the Underdog, his celebrated,...
                            Revolutionary Letters
                            By turns a handbook of countercultural living, a manual for street protest, and a feminist broadside against the repressive state apparatus, Revolutionary...
                              Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy presents 'Balearic Breakfast' Volume 4
                              “There are curators, and then there's Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy.” - Resident Advisor The sun has finally come out. It’s the first time something...
                                Talking to Women
                                In 1964, Nell Dunn spoke to nine of her friends over a bottle of wine about men, sex, work, money, babies, freedom and love. The Pop Artist Pauline Boty...
                                  Sabroso Guaganco Vol. 11Sabroso Guaganco Vol. 11
                                  Latin compilation
                                    • Original CD£9.99
                                      CD disc condition: VG+Case & booklet condition: VG+Original Pre-Owned CD in great condition
                                      In stockAdd to Bag
                                    Sabroso Guaganco Vol. 12Sabroso Guaganco Vol. 12
                                    Latin compilation
                                      • Original CD£9.99
                                        CD disc condition: VG+Case & booklet condition: VG+Original Pre-Owned CD in great condition
                                        In stockAdd to Bag
                                      The Blood of OthersSimone de Beauvoir
                                      Potent and vividly emotional, Simone de Beauvoir’s captivating novel questions freedom and individual responsibility in the face of brutality‘These...
                                        • Book (350g) 9780241696453£9.99
                                          In stockAdd to Bag
                                        Salsa Y Ache
                                          • Original CD£4.99
                                            CD disc condition: VG+Case & booklet condition: VG+Original Pre-Owned CD in great condition
                                            In stockAdd to Bag
                                          Alice Coltrane - Monument Eternal (DELUXE HARDBACK)By Ann Philbin, Franya J. Berkman
                                          Rashid Johnson, Cauleen Smith and others pay tribute to a truly extraordinary figure in 20th-century American jazz. This volume unpacks the cultural legacy...
                                            My Grandmother's Hands : Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodiesby Resmaa Menakem
                                            THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 'Insightful, thought-provoking and profound. I can't recommend highly enough' Sunny Singh'A revolutionary work of beauty,...
                                              • Book (350g) 9780141996479£10.99
                                                In stockAdd to Bag
                                              Nova Scotia House : A Novel
                                              Nova Scotia House takes us to the heart of a relationship, a community and an era. It is both a love story and a lament; bearing witness to the enduring...
                                                This Woman's Work : Essays on Music
                                                This Woman's Work: Essays on Music is edited by Kim Gordon and Sinead Gleeson and features contributors Anne Enright, Fatima Bhutto, Jenn Pelly, Rachel...
                                                  • Book (600g) 9781474621472£20.00
                                                    In stockAdd to Bag
                                                  DJ Disciple & Henry KronkThe Beat, the Scene, the Sound : A DJ's Journey through the Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of House Music in New York City
                                                  A thrilling and tumultuous, behind-the-scenes account of house music in NYC. The Beat, the Scene, the Sound follows DJ Disciple and his behind-the-scenes...
                                                    James Kaplan3 Shades of Blue : Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans & The Lost Empire of Cool
                                                    1959 saw Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans and the other members of Miles's sextet come together to record the bestselling jazz album of all time:...
                                                      Nettleblackby Nat Reeve
                                                      'To be blunt: I must escape.' 1893. Henry Nettleblack has to act fast or she'll be married off by her elder sister. But leaving the safety of her wealthy...

                                                        People also bought

                                                        Weldon Irvine I Love YouAthens Of The North
                                                        LONG OUT OF PRINT!!!! BACK IN PRINT!!!! 100% ESSENTIAL SEMINAL cut from Weldon Irvine featuring DON BLACKMAN's truly soulful vocals. Essential, conscious...
                                                        • – I Love You (feat. Don Blackman)
                                                        • – What's Going On?
                                                        Painel De ControleRelaxAthens Of The North
                                                        BACK IN PRINT! Two slices of Brilliant Brazilian Disco - 'Relax' is a straight up boogie monster, well known to deep disco & boogie heads flipped with...
                                                        • – Relax
                                                        • – Malandrinha
                                                        Marcos ValleMarcos Valle (Half-Speed Mastered Edition)Mr Bongo
                                                        Mr Bongo reissue the classic, self-titled 1983 album by Brazilian music legend, Marcos Valle. Features the essential disco/boogie track co-written with...
                                                        • – Estrelar
                                                        • – Fogo Do Sol
                                                        • – Samba De Verao
                                                        • – Para Os Filhos De Abraao
                                                        • – Naturalmente
                                                        • – Tapa No Real
                                                        • – Tapetes, Guardanapos, Cetins
                                                        • – Dia D
                                                        • – Mais Que Amor
                                                        • – Viola Enluarada
                                                        TapesSummer Jam / SalavereEM Records
                                                        SOTU favourite Tapes flips the script again, returning with two fresh slices of heavy, digital dubwsie business via the excellent Japanese label, EM!
                                                        • – Summer Jam
                                                        • – Salavere
                                                        Pure EssenceThird RockAthens Of The North
                                                        Untouchable disco funk of the highest order! Pure Essence's classic 'Third Rock' - essential!
                                                        • – Third Rock
                                                        • – Wake Up
                                                        MYTHPlay with MeAthens Of The North
                                                        Athens Of The North return with a monster-stomping boogie 45! MYTH's 1985 rarity 'Play With Me' was originally available on a sought-after 12", now getting...
                                                        • – Play with Me
                                                        • – In Action
                                                        Space GhostFree 2 BApron Records
                                                        Space Ghost's album of mid-80s style, electronic soul has won us over here at SOTU - absolutely loving these slow jams, lysergic funk cuts and neon lit...
                                                        • – Juno Fantasy
                                                        • – Prayer For U
                                                        • – Feelin Real Good (Vocal)
                                                        • – Mystery Angel
                                                        • – I'll Be Yours (Vocal)
                                                        • – Girl U Hypnotize Me
                                                        • – Love Beam
                                                        • – Feelin Real Good (Instrumental)
                                                        • – I'll Be Yours (Instrumental)
                                                        24 Hour Party PeopleThe Story Of Tony Wilson and Factory RecordsChannel 4 Books
                                                        Really funny and great book by the late Tony Wilson, founder of Factory Records. The story was later made into an equally funny and great  film of...
                                                          The HaciendaHow Not To Run A ClubPocket Books
                                                          Peter Hook, as co-founder of Joy Division and New Order, has been shaping the course of popular music for thirty years. He provided the propulsive bass...
                                                            Last Night A DJ Saved My LifeThe History Of The Disc JockeyHeadline
                                                            To celebrate 100 years of DJing, Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton have expanded and updated their classic account of the history of the disc jockey.The...
                                                              Life After DarkA History of British Nightclubs & Music Venues
                                                              Nightclubs and music venues are often the source of a lifetime's music taste, best friends and vivid memories. They can define a town, a city or a generation,...
                                                                Pigs Might FlyThe Inside Story of Pink FloydAurum
                                                                NEW UK PAPERBACK 50% Off original Price £5 Bargain! Mark Blake’s superbly comprehensive and engrossing history of the group, rightly...
                                                                  FactoryThe Story Of The Record LabelVirgin Books
                                                                  NEW UK PAPERBACK Over 50% off original price!Factory Records' fame and fortune were based on two bands - Joy Division and New Order - and one...
                                                                    Young Soul RebelsA Personal History of Northern SoulPolygon
                                                                    Stuart Cosgrove's Young Soul Rebel sets up a compelling and intimate story of northern soul, Britain's most fascinating musical underground scene, and...
                                                                      Split Decision Band Watchin' Out Athens Of The North
                                                                      BACK IN PRINT!!!!! Holy Grail deep disco from Des Moines, Iowa! Solid unforgiving driving funky disco, flipped with a crazy Funkadelic style stoner funk...
                                                                      • – Watchin' Out
                                                                      • – Dazed
                                                                      BileoYou Can WinAthens Of The North
                                                                      Back in stock! KILLER, ultra rare, super loud disco two-sider from the brilliant Athens of the North label.
                                                                      • – You Can Win
                                                                      • – Let's Go