I Hear a Symphony opens new territory in the study of Motown's legacy, arguing that the music of Motown was indelibly shaped by the ideals of Detroit's postwar black middle class; that Motown's creative personnel participated in an African-American tradition of dialogism in rhythm and blues while developing the famous "Motown Sound." Throughout the book, Flory focuses on the central importance of "crossover" to the Motown story; first as a key concept in the company's efforts to reach across American commercial markets, then as a means to extend influence internationally, and finally as a way to expand the brand beyond strictly musical products. Flory's work reveals the richness of the Motown sound, and equally rich and complex cultural influence Motown still exerts.

Living the Life I Sing: Gospel Music from the Dorsey Era to the Millennium discusses the foundations of gospel music and how the form has developed across time to create a genre that reaches far beyond its geographical borders. In addition, it addresses the future of the genre and considers its place in the general music industry. Section One explores the development of Gospel music, including its transition from the secular path of the blues to a path of sacred spirituality. Section Two focuses on the rise and role of the Black church in spreading Gospel music. Topics include the development of a Gospel methodology, the resistance of the Black press to "swinging" spirituals, the promise of and challenges to contemporary Gospel , and the value of live recording. Living the Life I Sing compiles an outstanding selection of resources to chronicle Gospel music from its blues-based foundation to its role in the lives of a post-millennial generation. The book is well-suited to courses on African-American music, those on the music business, religious music, and African-American history. It can also be used in music workshops.

'The main reason I have written this book is because I want people to know the process behind making my second album. I fight every day to show people what I see inside my head, my vision and what I want to create.'Revolve is a first-person account from the platinum-selling singer-songwriter John Newman, documenting the creative process involved in writing his second album.In the book, John explores the influences of his Yorkshire upbringing, where Northern Soul and Motown moulded his musical ear. From Settle to London, this unique behind-the-scenes narrative charts the build-up to the release of his break-out single 'Love Me Again', his No.1 album 'Tribute' and his first world tour.Revolve then details the making of his much anticipated second album, from creating and sketching the concept, writing the lyrics and recording in LA. Exclusive photography captures John's experiences, alongside songs scrawled on envelopes, early gig posters and his own personal drawings. Revolve provides the in-depth story of John's musical and personal evolution so far.'My first encounter with John Newman was on my daily afternoon break from a studio session to buy a Tesco's flapjack. I found him outside my studio complex with Mr Hudson, who he was making a record with. They were making fun of my car, as it had been shat on that day by an army of gulls. We've both come a long way since then; I had my car cleaned, and he has become one of the most exciting performers and songwriters of his generation.' - Calvin Harris

Their music changed pop history, but we've never known much about the people who made it...until now. "...a first-hand account of both the kaleidoscopic talent that drove Stone to the top and attracted so many people to him, and the madness that he soon descended into and never truly returned from, a victim of ego, drug abuse sycophants and the era.... It amounts to a definitive history of one of the rock generation's greatest and most tragic artists." -Jem Aswad, Variety, "The Best Music Books of 2022" "...the musical trajectory of Sly & The Family Stone, and especially its namesake and leader, Sly Stone (born Sylvester Stewart), makes even the most shocking episode of Behind the Music look like Nickelodeon programming. Esteemed music journo Joel Selvin chronicles the good, the bad, the ugly (and the really ugly), in a new reissue of his 1998 book, Sly & The Family Stone: An Oral History." -Bob Ruggiero, Houston Press Sly Stone shook the foundations of soul and turned it into a brand new sound that influenced and liberated musicians as varied as Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, and Herbie Hancock. His group-consisting of Blacks and whites, men and women-symbolized the Woodstock generation and crossed over to dominate pop charts with anthems like "Everyday People," "Dance to the Music," and "I Want to Take You Higher." Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Joel Selvin weaves an epic American tale from the voices of the people around this funk phenomenon: Sly's parents, his family members and band members (sometimes one and the same), and rock figures including Grace Slick, Sal Valentino, Bobby Womack, Mickey Hart, Clive Davis, Bobby Freeman, and many more. In their own words, they candidly share the triumphs and tragedies of one of the most influential musical groups ever formed-"different strokes" from the immensely talented folks who were there when it all happened. "Joel Selvin, the veteran music critic of the San Francisco Chronicle, published a thoroughgoing, book-length oral history of the group in 1998 that is as disturbing and chilling a version as you'll ever find of the 'dashed '60s dream' narrative: idealism giving way to disillusionment, soft drugs giving way to hard, ferment to rot." -David Kamp, "Sly Stone's Higher Power" Vanity Fair, August 2007 Available for the first time in years, Sly & the Family Stone: An Oral History, is an unflinching look at the rise and fall one of music's most enigmatic figures.

Barry Vincent was both a Love Child of the 1960s & a Soul Brother. In this colorful book you get plenty of the idealism of the flower-power love generation, and also the self-rightous indignation of proud black nationalism. There are many feelings that can't be expressed in words but music is the perfect medium to get the listener involved. This is a reason that there are so many performance instructions which are actually moods and attitudes. Music allows you to capture a feeling, document a time and place, paint a picture - sometimes better than the visual arts. Music is a language that sometimes says things that words simply can't communicate. Make your experience eternal by writing it down. Let us thank those that have upheld traditions, carried on culture, language, forms and feelings that would have otherwise been neglected, and sometimes even sadly lost forever. Barry shares the optimism of the Flower Power era and the consciousness of the Civil Rights movement in beautiful songs and positive stories and sounds.