Fourth World, formed in 1990, featured the legendary Brazilian jazz percussionist Airto Moreira, the six-octave voice of Flora Purim, guitarist Jose Neto, keyboardist/flutist Jovino Santos Neto and Gary Brown on bass and back-up vocals.
Airto worked with Miles Davis during the Bitches Brew era. His leadership in the fusion genre (Weather Report, Return to Forever) placed Airto in the forefront of percussionists worldwide. Airto’s effect was so powerful that in 1972 Downbeat Magazine added a “percussion” category to its readers’ and critics’ polls, and Airto has been voted ‘best’ in that category almost ever since. Winner of the 1996 Drum Magazine Award for best percussion and Jazz Central Station’s 1996 Best Percussionist Award, Airto keeps on winning fans worldwide. His formidable expertise in Brazilian cultures and percussion instruments make Airto’s performances both educational and electrifying.
Flora Purim’s contributions to the jazz world have been equally as important as Airto’s, and their partnership and marriage have created a bond that is recognizable in their music. They have been making music together since their collaboration with Return To Forever in the early 197s. Flora’s extraordinary six-octave voice has set a musical role model for many singers, but few have been able to reach the simple beauty, ethereal quality and sensuality that Flora brings to her music.
Guitarist Jose Neto worked double-duty with Fourth World on his Paradis guitar, which enabled him to be the band’s guitarist and co-bassist at the same time. Jose played chords, octaves and runs that almost defy belief, resulting in a unique barrage of bass runs, cascades of semi-acoustic tones and spine-chilling lead lines. The powerful guitarist from Sao Paulo is one of the most exciting prospects to have emerged in recent years.
Keyboardist/flutist Jovino Santos Neto moved freely from Brazilian rhythms to jazz to dense orchestral textures. His goal is to use his art to abolish the barriers that still exist between the so-called “styles” of music. He blended all of his influences into an exciting amalgam.
Bassist/vocalist Gary Brown began his music career at the early age of 11, already performing in Bay Area clubs with his two brothers and father, a jazz trumpeter. Gary went on to form his own bands and develop his talent as a bassist. Powerful and emotive, he has recorded, performed and toured with an impressive list of performers and worked on numerous film soundtracks.
Fourth World toured consistently in the U.S., Europe, South America, Russia and the Far East, gaining a reputation as one of the most exciting contemporary bands in the 1990s.
Discography:
Fourth World Recorded live at Ronnie Scott’s (1992)
Fourth World (1994)
Fourth World live (1995)
Encounters of the Fourth World (1995)
Last Journey (1999)
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.
