Anthony Reed takes the recorded collaborations between African American poets and musicians such as Amiri Baraka, Jayne Cortez, Cecil Taylor, and Charles Mingus to trace the overlaps between experimental music and poetry and the ways in which intellectuals, poets, and musicians define black sound as a radical aesthetic practice.
The book explores significant themes in literature and language, earning recognition with the prestigious 2016 William Sanders Scarborough Prize from the Modern Language Association. It delves into the intersections of culture, identity, and expression, highlighting the impact of language on societal narratives. Through critical analysis, it sheds light on overlooked voices and perspectives, making a valuable contribution to the fields of literary and cultural studies.