Perseus Academic: Noise of the World by Hank Bordowitz

One of the most comprehensive accounts to date, Noise of the World is the authentic story of a burgeoning world music scene, as told by its most seminal artists. Drawing on 20 years of original interviews, music journalist Hank Bordowitz presents the fascinating commentary of world music's most pivotal figures — performers such as Youssou N'dour, Ravi Shankar, Ofra Haza, the Gipsy Kings, Miriam Makeba, the Bulgarian Women's Choir, and dozens of others. Organized by geographic region, these interviews relate the histories and observations of the biggest movers and shakers in world music, many of whom helped to establish and influence a dizzying array of international styles including reggae, ska, calypso, flamenco, salsa, rumba, klezmer, mbaqanga, Afropop, Zulu jive, modern folk choral, raga, and more.