Masacote - element

In timba (a Cuban music style related to salsa, but with stronger influences from funk, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and jazz), a "masacote" typically refers to a powerful, rhythmic burst in the music. It’s a short, intense moment where the instrumentation – especially the rhythm section – becomes extra groovy, syncopated, or funky.

Characteristics of a masacote:

Often instrumental, with a lot of space for the bass, piano (tumbao), percussion, and horns.

Used to build energy or to mark a transition in the song.

Can be accompanied by dance accents or "breaks" during a performance or social dancing.

It often feels like a kind of musical explosion or a funky groove-pocket that takes center stage.

In the context of dance, such as Rueda de Casino or timba solo, dancers may respond to a masacote with expressive or improvised movements, much like they would during a "break".

Example:

Listen, for example, to Los Van Van, NG La Banda, or Elito Revé y su Charangón – they regularly use masa-cotes as part of their arrangements.

When you hear it, you often recognize it immediately: a sudden burst of funky intensity that electrifies the dance floor.