Landó is an Afro-Peruvian form of music in the musica criolla genre. Its unique sound had been likened to the American blues genre.
Landó developed from a dance in Angola called londu that came with slaves when they arrived in Brazil. Even today, in Brazil, the Angolan influenced londo is played. Hence, the Landó is a mix of both Spanish and African rhythms. It features a slower tempo and call and response vocalization. The signature instrument of the Landó is the cajon, a box-like drum. This instrument was improvised by West Africans after they were taken to South America without instruments or other possessions.
The Landó is still a very popular musical style in Peru. Peruvian musician Eva Ayllon is one of its most popular performers along with the band Perú Negro.
The basic rhythm of Landó is a two-bar figure[1], played on the cajon (B = bass, F = flam, . = rest):
B . F . B B | . F B . F B
...or, alternatively:
B . F . B B | . F . F . B
This pattern is closely related to a bell pattern found in many African-based rhythms (L = low pitch, H = high pitch):
L . H . H H | . H . H . H
However, another pattern for the hand bell is often favoured:
H H H . H H | H . H H H .