Flora Purim – Flora’s Song (Narada Jazz, 70876-19349-2-2, 2005)
Blurring the lines between jazz and world music, Flora’s Song proves yet again that Flora Purim is one of Brazil’s finest exports. Her new album includes 10 songs, which include some of her original compositions and lyrics, as well as songs by other Brazilian and American talents.
On Flora’s Song, Flora Purim’s vocals are sometimes sensual and delicate. Other times, she ventures into adventurous jazz, which is nor surprising, as she was one of the pioneers of jazz fusion in the 1970s.
The album contains a wide spectrum of styles. There is contemporary jazz (not to be confused with sappy smooth jazz, sometimes marketed as contemporary jazz) led by José Neto inspired electric guitar licks and a tribute to legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius. Also featured are intimate ballads, as well as funk and R&B highlighted by the participation of funk jazz master, keyboardist George Duke. But Flora Purim shines when she explores her Brazilian roots, singing in Portuguese and using spectacular samba and Afro-Cuban rhythms, as well as MPB (Brazilian Popular
Music) and bossa nova influences.
Brazilian percussion plays a key role, in the hands of longtime collaborator Airto Moreira. But there’s more. Steel pan maestro Andy Narell adds a new element to the mix, and it works in a spectacular fashion. “The musicians were chosen with the same care as one would choose a craftsman to construct the navigation instruments of a ship,” Flora muses.
Artists & Instrumentation:
Flora Purim – vocals;
Mark Egan — bass;
Christian Jacob — piano;
Airto Moreira — drums;
Gary Meek — flute, alto flute;
George Duke — piano;
Reggie Hamilton — bass;
Sandro Feliciano — drums;
Grecco Buratto — guitar;
Dom Camardella — Hammond B3;
Marcos Silva — keyboards;
Gary Brown — bass;
José Neto — guitar;
Andy Narell — steel pans;
Harvey Wainapel — saxophone;
Jimmy Branly — drums, timbales;
Giovanni Hidalgo — congas;
Dori Caymmi — acoustic guitar;
André de Sant’anna — bass;
Krishna Booker — keyboard programming, human beat box;
Diana Booker, Corei Taylor and Rob Gardner — background vocals.
Buy Flora’s Song and her other CDs: Flora Purim Sings Milton Nascimento, Open Your Eyes You Can Fly,Stories to Tell, Everyday Everynight, Perpetual Emotion, Dafos, Speak No Evil, Nothing Will Be As It Was Tomorrow, 00 Miles High, Encounter, Wings of Imagination, Rhythmstick, Queen of the Night, Butterfly Dream, Flora E M.P.M, That’s What She Said, and Carry on – England.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.