Consequently, listening to the music as an entire piece instead of any one particular instrument is the most reliable way of deriving timing. This is not because they lack the rhythm gene. More likely they are used to listening for an obvious beat, played on a whacking big drum, by a specialist drummer. They would improvise with lyrics and voice to keep in the clave of the song. The phenomenon of lead and backing singers taking turns is known as call and response, and is evident in the majority of salsa music, though it is found in other music forms too, like gospel.
Andalusian melodies complete the partnership.
Arguably most of the Hispanic influence in Latin America came from southern Spain. A nother undeniable influence is the impact of jazz. T rends suggest that salsa is beginning to establish an identity in its own right, instead of being considered as a generic term for songs bearing a number of Cuban rhythms. As an example, some works by Colombian artists are now sent to New York where they are finished . Indeed many people dance salsa to them, to the dismay of purists.