The Book of Salsa

“Possibly the best broad portrait of the artistic and commercial development of the music. . . . A landmark text in popular music and an early example of musical globalization literature . . . an essential read.” — Journal of American History

“[A] wonderful chronicle of . . . Latin urban music. . . . [A] gem. . . . One of the best single comprehensive chronicles of this music and its industry, the musicians and their performances, styles, movements and productions.” — Latin Beat

“Crossing continents, from New York City and Puerto Rico to Venezuela, Rondón examines salsa’s working-class origins . . . and relates the difficulties of marginalized barrio life to the music’s international appeal. Along with insightful analyses of styles, music, movements, performances, production and marketing, [The Book of Salsa] offers detailed coverage of such highly influential talents as Willie Colón, Eddie Palmieri and Ray Barretto. The concluding 'Basic Discography' serves as a great collecting guide.” — Publishers Weekly

“An excellent English translation. . . . . The classic narrative of the origins and trajectory of salsa, which has informed the best academic writing on the subject for years, is now at the disposal of readers of English.” — Hispanic American Research Review

“[The] bible for salsa lovers.” — Hispanic

“A must-have for all salsa aficionados.” — The Descarga Review

“[This] welcome translation . . . provides English-speaking audiences access to one of the most referenced texts in Latin music. . . . An invaluable resource for fans of Latin music, as well as journalists, ethnomusicologists, and cultural critics.” — Centro

“A powerful and enduring testimony. For decades now, Rondón has been the most fervent guide to the ways in which salsa inspires feverish devotion around the world. For salsa lovers, the book is required reading.” — New West Indian Guide

“[An] excellent treatise on music. . . . The English translation of Rondon’s original Spanish text is truly outstanding. . . . An encyclopedia of accurate details and an elegant example of well-grounded generalizations about the salsa story. It belongs in the library of anyone wishing to learn about the history of U.S. Latinos and their music.” — American Studies

“Rondón’s rich description of the development of salsa, his understanding of the scene, his discussion of sabor, and his recognition of the importance of the barrio make this work a must-read for all those interested in the history of salsa and Latin/Latin American popular music.” — Journal of Folklore Research