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Latin Roots #36: Timba, Cuba's Funky Dance Music

Latin Roots #36: Timba, Cuba's Funky Dance Music By Judy Cantor-Navas, managing editor of Billboard En Espanol

It didn't just develop, it exploded in popularity through the 90's. Post-Revolution, after training in jazz and classical conservatories, many Cuban musicians were looking for something new that would challenge their skills. Timba developed as a music combining Rumba with other dance music including even funk.

Judy has some wonderful recorded examples of the genre which admittedly thrives more in performance. We will hear from NG La Banda, a band that includes members of Irakere. NG La Banda are credited with starting the genre which would draw huge crowds of thousands to shows where much "dirty dancing" would ensue. Why didn't Timba explode globally? Was it Cuba's isolation or something else? Judy posits that this rhythmically complex pulsing music was just too complicated to dance to! We'll give you multiple opportunities to try on Latin Roots today.

  • Show Tracks:
    • NG LA BANDA / "LA EXPRESIVA" / La Habana Entera
    • DAVID CALZADO Y LA CHARANGA HABANERA / "HEY YOU LOCA" / Charanga Habanera, Volume 1
    • HABANA DE PRIMERA /"RESUMEN DE LOS 90" / Ahora! En La Habana 2
  • Listen to the Playlist:
  • Playlist Tracks:
    • Bamboleo / Yo No Me Parezco a Nadie / Yo No Me Parezco a Nadie
    • Manolin /La Bola / Latino! Greatest Hits: 56 Latin Top Hits (Original Versions!)
    • Juan Formell y Los Van Van /Esto te pone la cabeza mala / Te Pone la Cabeza Mala
    • NG La Banda / Echale Limon/ Estrellas de Cuba : NG La Banda
    • David Calzado y La Charanga Habanera / Lola, Lola/ Tremendo Delirio
    • Giraldo Piloto Y Klimax / La Permuta / Solo Tu Y Yo
    • Chucho Valdés E Irakere / Por Romper El Coco / Babalu Aye
    • Pupy y Los que Son Son / La borrachera / Pupy y Los que Son Son Best Of
    • Adalberto Alvarez y Su Son / Y Que Tu Quieres Que Te Den?/ Beginner's Guide To Timba
    • Havana D'Primera /Mi Musica/ Beginner's Guide To Timba