Drummer Steve Smith did a great dvd called "History of the American Beat", where he argues that all American music is derived from African rhythms. Swing, shuff

Drummer Steve Smith did a great dvd called "History of the American Beat", where he argues that all American music is derived from African rhythms. Swing, shuffle, and backbeat grooves are all expressions of a three-against-two polyrhythm, the simplest possible polyrhythm, and the essential character of west African music is polyrhythmic, while polyrhythms are rare in European music. If it rocks, swings, or shuffles, it's African in nature. It shows up in melody, too. Anything blues-derived, as opposed to diatonic, has African roots. Diatonic harmony was Europe's contribution to American music. Blue thirds and sliding sevenths were Africa's contribution.