Songo music

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Songo is a type of Cuban music, where there is a structuration of the musical phrase of the bass, drum/kick, and the congas for a more dynamic interaction of the rhythms section. It combines elements from the rumba, son Cubano, and other contemporary non-Latin styles like jazz and funk. It was developed by some percussionists and bands like, Changuito of Los Van Van, La Ritmo Oriental, Los Latinos, Los Reyes 73, Grupo Irakere, etc.

When playing a songo, the drummer always plays a basic foot pattern called the tumbao, and builds on top of with his/her hands. The tumbao is played with the bass drum on the fourth beat and the off-beat of the second beat of the 4/4 time.