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p>During a conga workshop I attended last weekend, the teacher Laurent Lamy discussed the origin of the songo rhythm.  The classic history is that it was developed as a fusion of rumba, son Cubano, jazz and funk by the band Los Van Van.

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p>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?