And The Roots of Rhythm Remain By Joe Boyd

‘I doubt I’ll ever read a better account of the history and sociology of popular music than this one.' Brian Eno

‘Profound…and beyond.’ Robert Plant

‘One only hopes that this will be taught in schools.’ Ry Cooder

Legendary producer and record label boss Joe Boyd has spent a lifetime travelling the globe and immersing himself in music. He has witnessed first- hand the growing popularity of music from Africa, India, Latin America, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe since the 1960s and was one of the protago- nists of the ‘world music’ movement of the 1980s.

In this sweeping history, Boyd sets out to explore the fascinating backstories to these sounds and documents a decade of encounters with the most extraor- dinary musicians and producers who have altered the course of music for us all.

And the Roots of Rhythm Remain shows how personalities, events and politics in places such as Havana, Lagos, Budapest, Kingston and Rio are as colourful and momentous as anything that took place in New Orleans, Harlem, Laurel Canyon or Liverpool. And, moreover, how jazz, rhythm and blues and rock ‘n’ roll would never have happened if it weren’t for the notes and rhythms emanating from over the horizon.

Critical acclaim for And the Roots of Rhythm Remain

"What an amazing book! Joe Boyd has distilled decades of experience and observation of
how musical ideas interbreed, and how culture is formed, into a tumultuous, gripping and
dramatic story. I doubt I’ll ever read a better account of the history and sociology of popular
music than this one. It has me saying ‘Wow’ on every page."
Brian Eno

"The producer’s epic account of global music’s cross-pollination is an inspiring tale of
seduction, expression and freedom from oppression . . . every paragraph packed with
information and inspiration – but written with a refreshingly light touch [. . .] Boyd's book is,
accordingly, the Proust of music history – à la recherche of much music lost, here
regained and affirmed in our present."
The Observer,

"Masterly [. . .] deeply scholarly but grippingly readable – and with the best soundtrack in the
world."
Spectator

"Sometimes it feels as if the whole world is squeezed into these 900-odd pages [. . .] Epic [. .
.] His enthusiasm proves infectious; he is teacher, storyteller and, sometimes, provocateur."
The Times,

"A dazzling and magesterial history [. . .] I rank it amongst the three best books about music I
have ever read."
Hi-Fi Choice,

"A brilliant tapestry of sounds from outside the anglophone world."
Mojo 5*****

"The War and Peace of world music."
Mojo Magazine, Jim Irvin