When José Luis Cortés and NG La Banda (NG stands for "Nueva Generación" or "New Generation") burst onto the scene in 1988 they represented a new pinnacle of achievement in the history of Cuban popular music. Using complex Cuban rhythmes such as son, songó and rumba blended with rock, jazz and funk, NG La Banda created a new style of music that came to be known as timba. Consisting of an all-star lineup, NG La Banda added unparalleled musical virtuosity to its Afro-Cuban grooves. Their influence can ba heard in the work of many of the modern Cuban groups that have followed in their footsteps.