Popular afro-american music. Born to be danced, R&B fundamentally is based on rithm and tension among this and melodical lines originating from blues and gospel. It has an emotional and vital charge that is directer and simpler than jazz' one, being essentially a ritualistic music. Its origins, besides in blues, are to be searched in "jump" style of Harlem' jazz and in some aspects of swing, principally orchestral boogie-woogie. From this kind of music (that was only instrumental in the beginning and now is vocal) is born white rock'n'roll. More recently it has flown in soul music.