Dr Amanda Villepastour, Curator of musical instruments, MIM, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
'... the book is a most important contribution not only to the study of bata message drumming, but to the study of the Yoruba language, its representations on talking instruments, and many adjoining areas of research, including the organology of the bata set and Yoruba culture history in general.' Gerard Kubik in African Music 'Villepastour's research and analyses are remarkable for breaking apart and decoding the puzzle that is Yoruba bata speech.' Anthropos '... highly recommended for students in African ethnomusicology, drumming researchers, and those interested in learning a bit more about Yoruba drumming language. I guarantee it will speak to you.' Inside world Music '... this book is a tour de force. It is a welcome resource for organologists, ethnomusicologists, and drummers; and it also offers much of interest to linguists, anthropologists, and persons involved inAfrican Studies.' Journal of the American Musical Instrument Society