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.