Rhythmic breaks or unison hits played by the whole band, often interrupting the flow to create surprise and tension. These are choreographed and add drama, excitement, and syncopation.
Interruptive role: The bloque is a sudden, tightly coordinated rhythmic break. It disrupts the ongoing groove (tumbao, coro, or guías).
Cue for change: Right after the bloque, the band often launches into a new “gear” (a new rhythmic feel, coro, or piano tumbao). In this sense, the bloque is an announcement: it marks the transition to what comes next.
Examples of blogues in this video by Ilija Gjorgievski