A music documentary which covers more than 100 years in the development of what is now called salsa, from its roots in the "son" music of Cuban campesinos (peasants) descended from African slaves to its mid-20th century evolution in New York, fueled by such Cuban and Puerto Rican Band leaders as Tito Puente, Machito (Frank Grillo) and Tito Puente. Also shown are legendary bands that emerged in Cuba after the revolution, such as Los Van Van, who recently performed in the U.S. for the first time; and a treasure trove of rare footage of Cuban musicians.