Mark Holen’s Zambomba
Stretching The Truth
1997, CD playing time 67 minutes
Listen to audio clips from Stretching the Truth
Blue Boogaloo
Stretching the Truth
Old Eyes
Other songs on this CD include:
El Viento Diablo
Buenos Aires
Buicktown
Harlem Night Music
The Gift
O Fumo Do Seu Ritmo
Plastic Buddha
Mark describes his music as "modern listening music" saying, "nothing is one thing anymore". This eclectic music is a contrasting mix of old and new bluesy jazz with an underlying carribean and Latin influence. Using Latin rhythms as a vocabulary for his melodies along with social and polictical commentary for his drum like lyrics, influenced by Eddie Jefferson, Mark melds these components into a cohesive whole for Stretching the Truth. Highlights include the striking bolero "Old Eyes", "Buicktown" a tribute to Mark's home town of Detroit, "Harlem Night Music", a percussion only piece featuring Bill Goodwin, Louis Bauzó along with Mark, and the crowd pleasing "Blue Boogaloo".
Nora York - vocals, Kurt Wiess - trumpet, Mike Freeman - vibes, David Durrah - piano, John Loerke - bass, Mark Holen - drums and percussion, guests Louis Bauzó - percussion and Bill Goodwin - drums