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.