SEVENTH CRITICAL REVIEW

"Dancing With the Enemy," Deborah Pacini Hernandez

In this article, Pacini Hernandez writes about the unique place Cuban music has within Latin music and the world music industry. She writes that until the Cuban Revolution, Cuban music greatly influenced popular music throughout the world; after the revolution Cuban music was isolated until the late '80s. During this time of isolation, the Cuban government supported Cuban music and musicians, paying significant attention to Afro-Cuban traditions. Thus, when this music came to the attention of the U.S. world music industry, it had the African-derived elements that mark this music as authentic and interesting. She concludes by commenting on the consequences of the collapse of state support for music. She seems concerned by the possible effects of musicians trying to sell to a market (world music) that they do not really understand.

I found this article very enjoyable to read. The ideas are clearly-stated and thought-provoking. However, I was left a little confused as to the directions the Latin and world music markets would push Cuban music. To address this, I pose the following discussion question.

According to Pacini Hernandez, what are the potential pressures from on Cuban music from the Latin and world music markets? Does she make a judgment about the effects of these pressures?