Though the group may be Miami-based, the members of timba band Tiempo Libre are all Cuban-born, -bred, and -inspired. Founded in 2001 by pianist Jorge Gomez as the first authentic Cuban timba band in the U.S., the ensemble self-released their debut album, Timbiando, a selection of covers recorded in a friend's garage, in 2004. In 2005 the band signed to Shanachie Entertainment, issuing Arroz con Mango (which in Cuban slang means "something completely out of the ordinary") the same year. In 2006, with singer Joaquin Diaz on vocals, Tebelio Fonte on bass, Pavel Diaz on trumpet, Luis Beltran Castillo on sax and flute, Leandro Gonzalez on congas, and Angel Arce on drums, Tiempo Libre released their third album, What You've Been Waiting For/Lo Que Esperabas. ~ Marisa Brown