[Update:  I'm fixing up this post that rambled off in too many directions - a victim of late night posting.  This post deals with the "Swing Pairs" - similar rhythms that shift between 12/8 and 4/4.  See here for the exercise and chart of the comparison of rumba clavé and 6/8 clavé....]

I've been eating up science podcasts about music lately.  My favorite so far is a particular WNYC Radio Lab's musical language podcast, which right from the outset links speech to song.  They have a couple of more episodes on music (Pop Music and Earworms, the latter only availalbe to podcast subscribers).  A

I get onto the habit of practicing new rhythms almost exclusively, only to discover a loss in stamina for simple rhythms at speed.  I've noticed something similar beginners- its easier to learn and play a complex rhythm at a slower tempo (eg a 2 or 4 bar rhythm) than a simple 2/4 at speed.

There is technically good music, then there is good music.  A friend used to try to convince me that Steely Dan was a technically great band....

Maybe. But that doesn't mean I would ever go out and buy their album.

I listen to a fair amount of Cuban music. But one guy I could never get into was Isaac Delgado. It was very slickly produced, with synth and everything.

But I am now playing in a group for a salsa and timba class, and my appreciation of Isaac Delgado has changed significantly.  Because I've learned to listen to the song featured in the video above.

But first .... timba?