Cultural Codes: Makings of a Black Music Philosophy (African American Cultural Theory and Heritage)
Elegantly and passionately written. (Cadence Magazine, July-September 2010)An exceptionally prolific polymath, Banfield (Berklee College of Music) is only now approaching midcareer. En route to his PhD in music, he earned an MA in theology. As composer, his credits include operas, symphonies, and chamber works, many of which have been recorded (as has his own work as guitarist). Yet in the past eight years, and through a variety of academic appointments, he still found time to write three books:Musical Landscapes in Color(CH, Dec'03, 41-2076),Black Notes: Essays of a Musician Writing in a Post-Album Age(2004), and now this title, a historical journey informed by philosophical perspectives—a tale of African American productivity devoid of the 'commercial monster.' Banfield deals comfortably with all musical idioms, from concert music to rap, in harmony with the heritage of major aestheticians of the recent past. Though endnotes replace a bibliography and the terse discography cites only titles and performers—lacking record labels and, surprisingly, reference to works in the classical tradition (including Banfield's own)—this will be an important addition to collections of black Americana and philosophy. Summing Up: Recommended. (CHOICE, July 2010)