Explores key themes in African music that have emerged in recent years-a subject usually neglected in country-by-country coverage
emphasizes the contexts of musical performance-unlike studies that offer static interpretations isolated from other performing traditions
presents the fresh insights and analyses of musicologists and anthropologists of diverse national origins-African, Asian, European, and American

Charts the flow and influence of music. The Encyclopedia also charts the musical interchanges that followed the movement of people and ideas across the continent, including:
cross-regional musical influences throughout Africa * Islam and its effect on African music * spread of guitar music * Kru mariners of Liberia * Latin American influences on African music * musical interchanges in local contexts * crossovers between popular and traditional practices. Downloadable resources included. Also includes nine maps and 96 music examples.