I thought that was a pretty neat, if potentially suspect story (as is always the case when one person or group claims ot have invented a particular cultural meme).  The workshop inspired me to dig into some timba - a hybrid Cuban musical form that developed from songo - and I checked out some albums from Los Van Van.  It was only then, a few days later, that I ever considered what a direct translation of the band name would mean - if anything.

 

Los Van Van in English is the The Go-Gos.

 

Hmmm.

 

Here's a (very brief) retrospective that does no justice to a lot of Los Van Van's more recent work.  But check out how early the "funk" feel of the snare drum enters the scene - this is the same kick that gives a lot of contemporary timba its hybrid feel.

 

Los Van Van – La Habana Joven
Los Van Van – Si Mami Se Va
Los Van Van – Dale Dos
Los Van Van – TV A Color
Los Van Van – Tu Tranquilo
Los Van Van – El Negro No Tiene Na
Los Van Van – Aquí El Que Baila Gana

 

Find my Los Van Van historical playlist on Spotify.