African Musicians in the Atlantic World: Legacies of Sound and Slavery by Mary Caton Lingold (review).

The main focus of "African Musicians in the Atlantic World: Legacies of Sound and Slavery" is the exploration of African Atlantic music as a significant cultural movement founded by enslaved Africans and their descendants. The author emphasizes that this music was not merely a product of slavery but a vibrant expression of creativity, resilience, and agency among African musicians. The book critiques historical narratives that overlook the contributions of these musicians and highlights individual stories, such as those of Macow, an instrument builder, and Mr. Baptiste, a free Black composer, to illustrate the rich musical traditions that persisted despite the oppressive context of slavery. Through a synthesis of historical sources and musical analysis, the work aims to reveal the importance of sound and music in understanding the lives and legacies of enslaved Africans and their cultural impact in the Atlantic world. [Extracted from the article]