Edition: U.S. / Global

RUMBA; A Prolific Parent

Published: June 25, 2000

To the Editor:

Not only did the rumba seed ''virtually all the Cuban music that followed, including son, guajira, guaracha, cha-cha-cha and the frenetic 1990's dance music called timba'' [''Rumba, the Heartbeat of Cuban Music'' by Jon Pareles, June 11], it also seeded such notable dances as the conga, danzon, habanera, guaguanco and mambo. Even today, the basic ingredients of what is loosely called salsa can be traced back to what is generally called Afro-Cuban popular music. The big hit that Lou Bega had last year, ''Mambo No. 5,'' is a remake of Perez-Prado's hit from the 50's.


Clark, N.J.