FLORA PURIM - Butterfly Dreams (1973-1987) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is the album that launched Flora Purim's solo career with great promise following her magnificent stint with Chick Corea's first incarnation of Return to Forever. Most of the tracks on this album sound like they would have fit very nicely onto one of RTF's first two LPs, with bandmate Stanley Clarke not only lending support on electric and acoustic bass, but also contributing original compositions and arrangements to the mix. The rest of the supporting cast is not too shabby either, including sax and flute man Joe Henderson, keyboard whiz kid George Duke, guitarist David Amaro, and Purim's other half, percussion legend Airto Moreira. Clarke's funky "Dr. Jive" and lyrical "Butterfly Dreams" are standout tracks here, as is the upbeat Egberto Gismonti composition "Moon Dreams." Duke shows his light Brazilian side on "Love Reborn," featuring Henderson's tenor sax solo and Amaro's lovely acoustic guitar. Purim delivers a gorgeous take on Jobim's well-known ballad "Dindi," and reshapes the standard "Summer Night" into a wordless vocal in her unmistakable style. The disc closes with a fine reworking of Clarke's now-classic "Light as a Feather," which strays not too far from the original RTF version. Neatly capturing Flora Purim's many vocal strengths, Butterfly Dreams delivered on the great expectations generated by her work with Corea and turned out to be a high point in her recording career. by Jim Newsom  
Tracklist :
1     Dr. Jive, Pt. 1 2:15
Stanley Clarke
2     Butterfly Dreams 6:59
Stanley Clarke / Neville Potter
3     Dindi 3:35
Stanley Clarke / Antônio Carlos Jobim / Flora Purim
4     Summer Night 5:52
Al Dubin / Harry Warren
5     Love Reborn 3:40
George Duke / Flora Purim
6     Moon Dreams 4:59
Ray Evans / Egberto Gismonti / Jay Livingston / Chummy MacGregor
7     Dr. Jive, Pt. 2 3:41
Stanley Clarke
8     Light as a Feather 5:44
Stanley Clarke / Flora Purim
Credits :
Bass – Stanley Clarke
Drums, Percussion – Airto Moreira
Electric Piano, Clavinet, Synthesizer – George Duke
Flute, Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Guitar – David Amaro
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Vocals – Flora Purim
Zither – Ernie Hood

FLORA PURIM - 500 Miles High (1974-1999) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded when she was at the peak of popularity, a result of her stint with Chick Corea's Return to Forever, 500 Miles High presents Flora Purim in concert at the 1974 Montreux Jazz Festival. Accompanied by an all-star band including guitarist David Amaro, flutist Herbie Mann, keyboardist Pat Rebillot, bass legend Ron Carter, and husband (and star in his own right) Airto Moreira on drums, vocals, and various percussion, the Brazilian songstress delivers a fiery performance that must have been a joy to behold. Strictly speaking, this is really more of a band album than a Flora Purim album, as Airto and the guys are featured for extended instrumental romps. However, when Purim is in the spotlight, her vocal magic lifts the proceedings to a high level. The trademark "500 Miles High" is wilder and more electric than in its Return to Forever studio version. Special guest Milton Nascimento leads the ensemble through his "Cravo e Canela" (Cinnamon and Cloves), a joyously percussive highlight of the show. Elsewhere, Airto joins his wife for a vocal give-and-take while the band cooks along underneath. The lengthy set closer, "Jive Talk," is really more a showcase for him than for his wife, but when it kicks into high gear, it provides a scorching climax highlighted by the twosome's wordless vocals. Although a fine document of her live show, 500 Miles High is probably not the best place to go for an introduction to the vocal artistry of Flora Purim. Stories to Tell and Butterfly Dreams would serve this purpose better, as would Corea's Light as a Feather. Nonetheless, it's an enjoyably eclectic and exciting outing. by Jim Newsom  
Tracklist :
1    O Cantador 5:09
Written-By – Dori Caymmi, Nelson Motta
2    Bridge 1:45
Written-By – Flora Purim
3    500 Miles High 5:30
Written-By – Chick Corea, Neville Potter
4    Cravo E Canela = Cinnamon And Cloves 6:46
Soloist [Berimbau] – Airto
Written-By – Milton Nascimento, Ronaldo Bastos
5    Bahia 4:20
Soloist [Drums] – Airto
6    Uri = The Wind 6:06
Written-By – Googie Coppola, Hermeto Pascoal
7    Jive Talk 9:13
Soloist [Berimbau] – Airto
Soloist [Percussion] – Airto
Written-By – Hermeto Pascoal
Credits :
Arranged By – Airto (pistas: 1 to 3, 6, 7), Wagner Tiso (pistas: 5)
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums, Percussion, Berimbau – Robertinho Silva
Drums, Percussion, Berimbau, Vocals – Airto
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – David Amaro
Electric Piano, Organ – Pat Rebillot, Wagner Tiso
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Arranged By – Milton Nascimento (pistas: 4)
Vocals, Percussion – Flora Purim

FLORA PURIM — Stories to Tell (1974-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Though her recordings for Chick Corea's Return to Forever provide a better introduction to her vocal talents, Stories to Tell is an excellent outing by Flora Purim and friends. Assisted by a cast of jazz/fusion all-stars led by husband Airto Moreira, Purim shows off the wide range of her abilities: from wordless vocal soaring to songs with lyrics in English and Portuguese, from uptempo percussion-driven workouts to beautiful ballads. In addition to Airto, the assembled cast includes bassists Miroslav Vitous and Ron Carter, keyboard wunderkind George Duke, guitarists Earl Klugh and Oscar Castro-Neves, and trombonist Raul de Souza. Also, Carlos Santana turns in one of his patented sizzling guitar solos on "Silver Sword." With material from Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vitous, Milton Nascimento, McCoy Tyner, and Purim herself, this is an album worth savoring. by Jim Newsom
Tracklist :
1    Stories To Tell 3:41
Bass, Synthesizer, Composed By, Arranged By – Miroslav Vitous
Composed By – Flora Purim
2    Search For Peace 5:53
Composed By – Flora Purim, McCoy Tyner
3    Casa Forte 3:55
Composed By – Edu Lobo
Trombone, Soloist – Raul De Souza
4    Insensatez 2:46
Composed By – Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
5    Mountain Train 3:14
Composed By – Ernie Hood, Flora Purim
6    To Say Goodbye 4:03
Composed By – Edu Lobo, Lani Hall
Trombone, Soloist – Raul De Souza
7    Silver Sword 5:40
Lead Guitar – Carlos Santana
Synthesizer, Composed By, Arranged By – Miroslav Vitous
8    Vera Cruz (Empty Faces) 4:12
Composed By – Marcio Borges, Milton Nascimento
Trombone, Soloist – Raul De Souza
9    O Cantador / I Just Want To Be Here 6:45
Bass – Miroslav Vitous
Composed By [I Just Want To Be Here] – Airto, Flora Purim, George Duke, King Errisson, Miroslav Vitous
Composed By [O Cantador] – Dorival Caymmi, Nelson Motta
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar – Oscar Neves (pistas: 5, 8)
Arranged By – George Duke (pistas: 3, 8)
Arranged By [Flute] – Oscar Neves (pistas: 4, 6)
Arranged By [Strings] – Oscar Neves (pistas: 6)
Bass – Ron Carter (pistas: 2, 3, 8)
Congas – King Errisson
Drums, Percussion – Airto
Flugelhorn – Oscar Brashear (pistas: 3, 8)
Flute, Flute [Alto] – Hadley Caliman (pistas: 3, 8)
Guitar – Earl Klugh (pistas: 1 to 6, 8, 9), Oscar Neves (pistas: 4)
Keyboards, Synthesizer – George Duke
Lead Vocals – Flora Purim
Piano – Larry Dunlap (pistas: 5)
Trombone – George Bohanon (pistas: 3, 8)
Zither – Ernie Hood (pistas: 5)

FLORA PURIM - Encounter (1976-1993) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This was one of Flora Purim's finest all-around jazz recordings, and it is luckily available on CD. Purim is featured in a variety of challenging and stimulating settings: on two numbers ("Above the Rainbow" and "Tomara") with pianist McCoy Tyner; teamed up with tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson on Chick Corea's "Windows" and "Black Narcissus"; and utilizing such players as bass trombonist Raul DeSouza, keyboardists Hermeto Pascoal and George Duke, and singer Urszula Dudziak (who is heard on "Encounter") plus Flora's husband, percussionist Airto. The music is primarily group originals and finds Flora Purim in peak form. Highly recommended. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Windows 5:37
Written-By – Chick Corea
2    Latinas 3:42
Written-By – Hermeto Pascoal
3    Uri (The Wind) 8:05
Written-By – Googie Coppola, Hermeto Pascoal
4    Dedicated To Bruce 4:12
Written-By – Flora Purim, Hermeto Pascoal
5    Above The Rainbow 3:29
Written-By – McCoy Tyner
6    Tomara (I Wish) 4:06
Written-By – Traditional
7    Encounter 7:19
Soloist [Vocals] – Googie Coppola, Urszula Dudziak
Written-By – Airto*, Flora Purim, Googie Coppola, Hermeto Pascoal, Ron Carter, Urszula Dudziak
8    Black Narcissus 6:34
Written-By – Joe Henderson
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Ron Carter (pistas: 3, 4, 7)
Clavinet – Hermeto Pascoal (pistas: 7)
Congas – Airto (pistas: 2, 4, 8)
Drums – Airto (pistas: 3, 4, 7, 8), Leon Ndugu Chancler (pistas: 1)
Electric Bass – Alphonso Johnson (pistas: 8), Byron Miller (pistas: 1)
Electric Piano – George Duke (pistas: 1, 4), Hermeto Pascoal (pistas: 2 to 4, 7)
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Flora Purim
Percussion – Airto (pistas: 1 to 5, 7, 8)
Piano – George Duke (pistas: 8), McCoy Tyner (pistas: 5, 6)
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Synthesizer – George Duke (pistas: 7), Hugo Fattoruso (pistas: 2)
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson (pistas: 1, 8)
Trombone – Raul De Souza (pistas: 2, 4)
Vocals – Hermeto Pascoal (pistas: 2)

FLORA PURIM - Open Your Eyes You Can Fly (1976-2000) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

As an original member of Chick Corea's group Return to Forever, Purim subsequently drew praise as a solo act. Recording for the jazz label Milestone since 1973, Purim's sensual and strong voice was singular enough to withstand the pitfalls that hampered the work of many Latin jazz fusion artists. Open Your Eyes You Can Fly represents a commercial breakthrough, and has the artist again supplemented by adventurous players and top-notch songwriting. The best of the three Chick Corea tracks is the title song. With it's emotive and stinging guitar solo from David Amaro, it features Purim at her most accessible and charming. The remake of "Sometime Ago" has one of Corea's more accessible melodies, as Purim turns in one of her more sweet and fulfilling vocals. The melodic and soothing "San Francisco River" has the artist writing solely with frequent Corea collaborator Neville Potter on the evocative track. Despite the great work here, Open Your Eyes You Can Fly, lacks consistency. But with the great talents assembled and great voice, it's easy to overlook that fact. Hermeto Pascoal's "Andei (I Walked)" has a great synthesizer solo from George Duke and a flute solo from Pascoal. "Ina's Song (Trip to Bahia)" features Purim singing in Portuguese, starting off slow but then enlivened by her passion filled vocalizations. Produced by jazz producer Orrin Keepnews, this features the artist more lucid and joyful than some of her other work. For the reason it is recommended. by Jason Elias  
Tracklist :
1 Open Your Eyes You Can Fly 4:29
Backing Vocals – David Amaro, Flora, George Duke, Hermeto Pascoal
Drums – Ndugu (Leon Chancler)
Electric Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Electric Guitar – David Amaro
Electric Piano – George Duke
Percussion – Airto Moreira
Soloist – Amaro
Written-By – Corea, Potter
2 Time's Lie 5:09
Drums – Ndugu (Leon Chancler)
Electric Bass, Acoustic Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – David Amaro
Electric Piano, Synthesizer [ARP String Ensemble] – George Duke
Flute – Hermeto Pascoal
Percussion – Airto Moreira
Soloist – Pascoal, Ndugu
Written-By – Corea, Potter
3 Sometime Ago 4:44
Congas – Laudir De Oliveira
Drums – Ndugu (Leon Chancler)
Electric Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Electric Piano, Synthesizer [ARP String Ensemble] – George Duke
Flute – Hermeto Pascoal
Percussion – Airto Moreira
Soloist – Amaro, Pascoal
Written-By – Corea, Potter
4 San Francisco River 4:06
Acoustic Bass – Ron Carter
Acoustic Guitar – Egberto Gismonti
Arranged By – Egberto Gismonti, Hermeto
Drums – Robertinho Silva
Electric Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Electric Guitar – David Amaro
Flute [Duet] – Pascoal
Flute, Electric Piano – Hermeto Pascoal
Percussion – Airto Moreira
Synthesizer [Duet], Synthesizer [Moog] – Duke
Written-By – Purim, Potter
5 Andei (I Walked) 6:11
Arranged By – Hermeto
Clavinet, Synthesizer [Moog] – George Duke
Drums, Berimbau – Robertinho Silva
Electric Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Electric Guitar – David Amaro
Flute, Electric Piano – Hermeto Pascoal
Percussion – Airto Moreira
Soloist, Flute – Amaro, Pascoal
Soloist, Synthesizer – Duke
Vocals [Duet, Uncredited] – Airto, Flora
Written-By – Hermeto Pascoal
6.1 Ina's Song (Trip To Bahia) 3:40
Arranged By – Flora Purim
Congas – Airto Moreira, Laudir De Oliveira
Drums – Robertinho Silva
Electric Bass, Acoustic Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Electric Guitar – David Amaro
Percussion – Airto Moreira, Robertinho Silva
Soloist, Synthesizer [ARP Odyssey] – Duke
Synthesizer [Moog, ARP Odyssey, ARP String Ensemble] – George Duke
Written-By – Flora Purim
6.2 Transition 0:34
Arranged By – Flora Purim
Electric Piano, Synthesizer [String Ensemble] – George Duke
Percussion – Airto Moreira, Robertinho Silva
Soloist, Synthesizer [ARP Odyssey] – Duke
Written-By – Moreira, Duke
7 Conversation 2:34
Acoustic Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Arranged By – Hermeto
Drums, Percussion – Airto Moreira, Airto Moreira
Electric Guitar – David Amaro
Electric Piano – Hermeto Pascoal
Synthesizer [ARP String Ensemble, Moog] – George Duke
Written-By – Hermeto Pascoal
Medley
8.1 White Wing (aka Asa Branca) 1:40
Electric Piano – Hermeto Pascoal
Written-By – Teixeira, Gonzaga
8.2 Black Wing 4:09
Acoustic Bass – Ron Carter
Acoustic Guitar – Egberto Gismonti
Acoustic Guitar [12-String] – David Amaro
Arranged By – Hermeto
Drums, Berimbau, Percussion – Airto Moreira
Electric Bass – Alphonso Johnson, Alphonso Johnson
Electric Piano, Flute, Harpsichord, Whistling, Percussion [7-UP Bottles] – Hermeto Pascoal
Percussion, Berimbau – Robertinho Silva
Soloist, Harpsichord, Whistling – Pascoal
Vocals [Duet] – Airto, Flora
Written-By – Purim, Pascoal

FLORA PURIM - That's What She Said (1977-2001) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Toward the close of her Milestone years, Flora Purim teamed up with producer/keyboardist George Duke -- and the imprint of Duke, then entering his funkified "Dukey Stick" period, is heavy enough to dominate the record. Very often, Duke uses his then rhythm section of bassist Byron Miller (alternating with Alphonso Johnson) and drummer Ndugu Chandler to give the grooves a definite '70s funk feel -- and percussionist Airto adapts his talents seamlessly to this way of life. Duke's electronic keyboard arsenal is all over the record, occasionally going gonzo on the Moog synthesizer, draping a then-still-fashionable ARP string synthesizer over the landscape, comping on the Rhodes electric piano or Yamaha electric grand. Joe Henderson turns up with a funk-bop tenor solo on the Brazilian/funk groove on "What Can I Say?" (what could he say?), part of a first-call L.A. studio horn section that includes trumpet Oscar Brashear, trombonist George Bohanon, and Ernie Watts on flute. And where does all of this instrumental activity leave Purim? Floating on top of the mix as usual, whether in a wordless vocalise, agile scatting with Duke's lead synth on the title track, or heavily accented English, sometimes in multiple overdubs. Nevertheless, the Brazilian feeling is not quite cancelled out by Duke's busy production hand -- and this Western Hemispheric amalgam would soon pave the way for groups like Azymuth. by Richard S. Ginell 
Tracklist :
1     Look into His Eyes 4:34
Drums – Leon Ndugu Chancler
Electric Bass – Byron Miller
Percussion – Airto
Vocals – Flora Purim
Written-By, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Synthesizer [Moog], Soloist [Moog], Backing Vocals – George Duke
2     Juicy 4:32
Drums – Ndugu
Electric Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Electric Piano [Rhodes], Synthesizer [Moog] – George Duke
Percussion, Congas – Airto
Vocals, Gong – Flora Purim
Written-By – Duke
3     Hidden Within 5:09
Drums – Ndugu
Electric Bass – Byron Miller
Electric Piano [Yamaha Grand], Synthesizer [Moog], Soloist [Moog] – George Duke
Guitar – Jay Graydon
Guitar, Soloist – David T. Walker
Percussion, Congas – Airto
Vocals – Flora Purim
Written-By – Leon Ndugu Chancler
4     You on My Mind 3:32
Drums – Ndugu
Electric Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Percussion, Vocals – Airto
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano [Rhodes], Synthesizer [Moog] – George Duke
Vocals, Backing Vocals – Flora Purim
Written-By – Airto Moreira
5     What Can I Say? 5:04
Drums – Ndugu
Electric Bass – Byron Miller
Electric Piano [Yamaha Grand, Rhodes], Arranged By [Horns], Conductor [Horns] – George Duke
Flute – Ernie Watts
Guitar – Jay Graydon
Percussion, Congas, Bongos – Airto
Soloist, Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Trombone – George Bohanon
Trumpet – Oscar Brashear
Vocals – Flora Purim
Written-By – Duke
6     Love's the Way I Feel 'Bout Cha 4:45
Alphonso Johnson / Pat Walker
7     That's What She Said 3:53
Drums – Ndugu
Electric Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Electric Piano [Rhodes], Arranged By [Horns], Conductor [Horns] – George Duke
Flute – Ernie Watts
Percussion, Congas, Bongos, Soloist [Bongos] – Airto
Synthesizer [Arp Odyssey], Soloist – Hugo Fattoruso
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Trombone – George Bohanon
Trumpet – Oscar Brashear
Vocals – Flora Purim
Written-By – Duke
8     You Are My Heart 4:06
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler
Credits :
Accompanied By [With] – Airto, Alphonso Johnson, Byron Miller, Ernie Watts, George Bohanon, George Duke, Jay Graydon, Leon Ndugu Chancler, Oscar Brashear

FLORA PURIM - Everyday, Everynight (1978-2002) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On this project, singer Flora Purim is backed by a large string orchestra and a countless number of top studio and jazz players, playing arrangements by Michel Colombier. Although some of the musicians are quite notable (including Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, David Sanborn, Oscar Neves, Jaco Pastorius and even Herbie Hancock), the overall music is generally forgettable. Most of the playing sounds planned in advance, and not much spontaneity occurs, certainly not from the London Symphony Orchestra. Purim's voice is fine, but none of the 11 songs (eight by Colombier) were destined to catch on. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Everyday, Everynight 4:57
Written-By – Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Michel Colombier
2    Samba Michel 4:08
Written-By – Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Michel Colombier
3    The Hope 3:39
Written-By – Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Michel Colombier
4    Five-Fourc 3:32
Written-By – Michel Colombier
5    Walking Away 4:55
Written-By – Hugo Fattoruso, Jorge Fattoruso, Michel Colombier, Nicole Croisille
6    I Just Don´t Know 3:57
Written-By – Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Michel Colombier
7    In Brasil 3:50
Written-By – George Spouch
8    Las Olas 4:22
Written-By – Jaco Pastorius
9    Blues Ballad 1:54
Written-By – Michel Colombier, Yana Purim
10    Overture 2:56
Written-By – Michel Colombier
11    Why I´m Alone 4:00
Written-By – Jean Hancock
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – David Sanborn
Conductor, Arranged By – Michel Colombier
Backing Vocals – Yana Purim
Drums – Airto Moreira
Electric Bass – Jaco Pastorius
Guitar – Jay Graydon, Lee Ritenour
Keyboards – George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Michel Colombier
Lead Vocals – Flora Purim
Pecussion – Airto Moreira
Piano – David Foster
Producer – Airto Moreira, Bob Monaco
Strings – The London Symphony Orchestra
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Trombone – Raul De Souza
Trumpet – Randy Brecker

FLORA PURIM - Carry On (1979-2002) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In 1979, jazz was no longer George Duke's primary focus; his albums were emphasizing soul/funk, and many of the R&B fans who knew him for late '70s hits, like "Dukey Stick," "I Want You for Myself," and "Reach for It," knew little or nothing about his work with Cannonball Adderley, Billy Cobham, or Jean-Luc Ponty. But Duke was still producing some jazz albums here and there, although they weren't necessarily straight ahead. Even though Flora Purim's Carry On, which Duke produced, is primarily a Brazilian jazz album, it isn't for jazz purists -- rather, Purim provides an eclectic blend of jazz, samba, R&B/funk, rock, and pop. Purim has many inspired moments on this LP and is joined by members of Duke's late '70s band -- bassist Byron Miller, drummers Ricky Lawson and Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, percussionist Sheila Escovedo (who became Sheila E after joining forces with Prince in 1984), keyboardist Bobby Lyle, trumpeter Jerry Hey, and saxman Joe Farrell. In addition to excelling on Duke's funky title song, Gilberto Gil's "Sarara," and Toninho Horta's "Beijo Partido," Purim really lets loose on Milton Nascimento's "From the Lonely Afternoon." Those who associate "From the Lonely Afternoon" with Wayne Shorter's superb Native Dancer album will find Purim's interpretation to be faster and more intense. by Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1     Sarara 4:06
Gilberto Gil
2     From the Lonely Afternoon 3:25
Milton Nascimento
3     Niura is Coming Back 2:54
Yana Purim
4     Once I Ran Away 3:38
Yana Purim
5     Carry On 5:15
George Duke
6     Love Lock 3:32
Reggie Lucas / James Mtume
7     Corine 4:52
George Duke / Airto Moreira / Flora Purim
8     Islands in the Sun [Interlude] 1:29
David Bateau / Michael Sembello
9     Beijo Partido (Broken Kiss) 4:40
Toninho Horta
10     Freeway Jam 4:36
Max Middleton
Credits :
David Amaro, David Myles, Michael Sembello - Guitar
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Ricky Lawson, Fred Fleck - Drums
Lynn Davis, Josie James - Vocals (Background)
George Duke - Composer, Piano
Joe Farrell - Sax (Soprano)
Hugo Fattoruso, Bobby Lyle, Greg Phillinganes - Keyboards, Synthesizer
Gary Gazaway - Flugelhorn
Jerry Hey - Trumpet
Al Jarreau - Guest Artist, Vocals
Keith Jones, Byron Miller - Bass
Airto Moreira - Composer, Tambourine, Trombone
Flora Purim -  Vocals
William Frank "Bill" Reichenbach Jr., Raul de Souza - Trombone
Larry Williams - Flute, Piccolo, Sax (Alto)

FLORA PURIM - The Midnight Sun (1988) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

With a constantly shifting series of musicians at her back, Purim turns in a correspondingly eclectic album, veering freely from the Great American Songbook to jazz-rock to Brazil and back again. However, this album begins in a somewhat unfocused manner -- Flora does not sound completely comfortable with the songs in English -- and only hits its stride somewhere in the middle, when the Brazilian elements really kick in. Of the standards, "Angel Eyes" is backed bittersweetly by the British saxophone quartet Itchy Fingers, and there is a leisurely, spare-textured "Midnight Sun" featuring George Duke. Flora also makes a gentle return to "Light as a Feather" from the RTF days, and some marvelous Brazilian cruising can be heard within an otherwise frustrating start-and-stop rendition of Milton Nascimento's "Nothing Will Be as It Was." Fascinating in spots. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1     Angel Eyes 3:28
Matt Dennis
2     Light as a Feather 6:50
Stanley Clarke / Flora Purim
3     Midnight Sun 4:19
Sonny Burke / Lionel Hampton / Johnny Mercer
4     Nothing Will Be as It Was 6:49
Ronaldo Bastos / Milton Nascimento
5     Las Olas 4:48
Jaco Pastorius
6     Flora Nova 4:32
Airto Moreira / Flora Purim
7     A Esperanca 3:49
Flora Purim
8     Good Morning Heartache 3:14
Ervin Drake / Dan Fisher / Irene Higginbotham
9     Bodas de Prata 5:15
Egberto Gismonti
Credits :
Flora Purim - vocals
Airto Moreira - drums, percussion
Bob Harrison - bass on tracks 2, 4, 7, 8
Randy Tico - bass on tracks 3, 9
Kei Akagi - piano, keyboards on tracks 2, 3, 4, 7, 8
Gary Meek - sax on tracks1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

FLORA PURIM - Speed of Light (1994) APE (image+.cue), lossless

A brilliant cross between Flora Purim's '70s work with Chick Corea & Return to Forever (some of the only fusion albums that don't sound terribly dated decades later) and mid-'90s chill-out music, 1995's Speed of Light is one of the Brazilian-born singer's finest albums. Opening with the meditative instrumental "A Secret From the Sea," Speed of Light is a seamless blend of 12 smoothly danceable tracks combining Brazilian jazz; spacious, fusion-based arrangements heavy on the percussion and synthesizers; and cool, contemporary beats and loops. The combination works effortlessly, since so much acid jazz and ambient house music already cribs from '60s bossa nova and '70s fusion. Throughout it all, Purim's still-astonishing voice remains at center stage, whether murmuring softly on the slinky "Portal da Cor" or trilling wordlessly on the hypnotic "The Goddess of Thunder." Diana Moreira (daughter of Purim and percussionist Airto Moreira, her regular producer and collaborator) takes on an expanded writing and performing role, performing and arranging the complex overdubbed backing vocals that give the largely electronic songs a more intimate, human feel. Speed of Light is essential listening for both Brazilian jazz and chill-out fans. by Stewart Mason  
Tracklist :
1     A Secret From the Sea 1:03
Jovino Santos Neto
2     Wings (Asas) 3:12
3     Portal da Cor 4:40
Milton Nascimento / Ricardo Silveira
4     Rhythm Runner 5:41
Flora Purim
5     Light as My Flo' 5:41
Kushna Booker
6     Mojave Crossing 8:25
Giovanni Hidalgo / Airto Moreira
7     O Canto da Sereia 4:42
8     This World (Esse Mundo E Meu) 1:58
Flora Purim / Sérgio Ricardo
9     Overture 3:07
Jovino Santos Neto
10     The Goddess of Thunder 3:17
11     What You See 4:47
Kushna Booker
12     Maiasta (Miraculous Bird) 4:52
Credits :
Backing Vocals – Diana Moreira
Bass – Gary Brown
Djembe, Timbales – Giovanni Hidalgo
Drums – Billy Cobham, Walfredo Reyes
Drums, Percussion – Airto Moreira
Guitar – Jose Neto, Ricardo Silveira
Keyboards – Freddie Ravel
Keyboards, Piano, Strings – Jose Neto
Percussion – Freddie Santiago

FLORA PURIM - Perpetual Emotion (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

For those who thought that despite recording, Flora Purim's musical career went out the window with her prison term in the early '90s, or, worse, at the end of 1970s jazz-world fusion boom, think again. Perpetual Emotion is the strongest recording Ms. Purim's monumental talent has given us since 1975's 500 Miles High. Accompanied by life partner and collaborator percussionist Airto Moreira, saxophonist Gary Meek, pianist Christian Jacob, bassist Trey Henry, and acoustic guitarist Oscar Castro Neves, and producer Dom Comardella, Purim has selected material that showcases the ease and flow of a voice that contains within it the passion of Brazil and the airiness of a spring day. Some of those selections, such as Cesar Mariano's "Saudade," offer the deep melancholy of looking back to places you can never again visit and reveal within them the sweeter memories they hold. Chris Jacob's piano leads the way trough the tune and strips it of any false "exotic" artifice. It's a jazz ballad with a Brazilian melody and rhythm, eased through the gates by Moreira's easy touch and a flowing bassline by Henry. On "Fotographia" by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Purim takes the tune, which has been recorded literally hundreds of times, to its folksy essence and makes of it a song that is neither jazz nor samba, but a tome of memory and longing. The highlight of the album is the revisiting of Chick Corea's and Neville Potter's "Crystal Silence." While the song had been in Purim's early repertoire as an improvisation, a wordless melody, because she had not known -- even though she had been part of Corea's Return to Forever -- that the tune had words all along. Her feeling for the original is fierce and moving; it flows from her like a river of feeling and motion, it offers the notion of seeing with new eyes that which has been present all along. Her interpretive voice has never sounded stronger, and her band is understated enough to let it come freely through the mix while providing her with musical challenges to rise to. Perpetual Emotion is the album Purim's been promising to deliver her entire career. Let us hope that this is the first of many like it to come. by Thom Jurek
Tracklist :
1     San Francisco River 4:57
Airto Moreira / Flora Purim
2     My Ship 4:12
Ira Gershwin / Kurt Weill
3     Escape 4:12
Flora Purim
4     Saudade 3:02
Flora Purim
5     Crystal Silence 6:17
Chick Corea / Neville Potter
6     Flora and Airto 5:00
Flora Purim
7     Fotografia 6:54
Ray Gilbert / Antônio Carlos Jobim
8     Journey to Eden 5:18
Flora Purim
9     Search for Peace 6:07
Flora Purim / McCoy Tyner
10     Airto's Jazz Dance 4:06
Flora Purim
11     Carinhoso 3:52
Pixinguinha / Flora Purim
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Trey Henry
Acoustic Guitar – Oscar Castro-Neves
Drums, Percussion – Airto Moreira
Piano – Christian Jacob
Saxophone, Bass, Clarinet, Flute – Gary Meek
Vocals – Flora Purim

FLORA PURIM - Flora Purim Sings Milton Nascimento (2002) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The title of the disc implies that the acclaimed Brazilian vocal legend is simply paying tribute to her old friend Milton (who happens to be one of that country's most influential songwriting masters), but she prefers to see it as "a declaration of unconditional love." With the beautiful musical backing of an all-star cast featuring George Duke, saxman and flutist Widor Santiago, and her drummer/percussionist husband Airto Moreira, Flora Purim creates a lush valentine that can be appreciated by more than Brazilian music fans. "Maria Tres Filos" has an hypnotic tribal quality, with her ethereal vocals soaring over an increasingly bold percussion forest and throbbing bassline. "Encontos E Despedidas" opens with a soulful sax run that would be at home in smooth jazz, then evolves into a gentle, intimate piece focused on "Purim"'s rich vocals and "Luiz Avellar"'s lush piano. There is an overall sense of romantic adventure, best typified by tracks like "Canto Latino," which eases along on a drifting bluesy groove -- complete with soaring male vocalese -- and rolls faster with fiery percussion as it goes by. Yet her vocals are swaying and sensuous. Even though the production leans to the more traditional acoustic side, "Gira Girou" stands out in that its centered around a crunchy, almost hip-hop ambient vibe, with "Purim" backing up Moreira's guttural wailing. Just as when Keely Smith sang songs popularized by her friend Frank Sinatra, Purim has more than just a legacy to live up to. And she delivers magnificently. by Jonathan Widran  
Tracklist :
1     Maria Très Filhos 4:57
Fernando Brant / Milton Nascimento
2     Encontros E Despedidas 4:04
Fernando Brant / Milton Nascimento
3     Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser 4:54
Lô Borges / Márcio Borges
4     Nuvem Cigana 5:59
Lô Borges / Márcio Borges
5     Canto Latino 4:52
Milton Nascimento
6     Nada Sera Como Antes, Amanhã 5:23
Ronaldo Bastos / Milton Nascimento
7     Gira Girou 4:55
Márcio Borges / Milton Nascimento
8     Nós Dois 6:12
Luiz Avellar / Milton Nascimento
9     Cravo E Canela 5:24
Ronaldo Bastos / Milton Nascimento
10     Cais 6:16
Ronaldo Bastos / Milton Nascimento
Credits :
Luiz Avellar - Arranger, Composer, Keyboards, Piano, Programming
Diana Moreira Booker - Vocal Arrangement, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Krishna Booker - Programming
Gary Brown - Bass, Guitar (Bass)
George Duke - Keyboards
Giovanni Hidalgo - Percussion
Sizao Machado, Nico Assumpção - Bass
Melecio Magdaluyo - Sax (Baritone)
Airto Moreira - Drums, Percussion, Producer, Vocals
José Neto - Guitar
Flora Purim - Producer, Vocals
Widor Santiago - Flute, Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor), Saxophone
Norbert Stachel - Sax (Tenor)
Marty Wehner, Jeff Cressman - Trombone
Bill Ortiz, John L. Worley, Jr. - Flugelhorn, Trumpet

FLORA PURIM - Speak No Evil (2003) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Two realities are abundantly clear from listening to this Brazilian songstress legend's latest mix of standards and originals -- she swings magnificently with great jazz company (including her husband, percussion legend Airto Moreira) and she's far more emotionally effective singing in her native Portuguese than in her heavily accented English. Her phrasing is solid on classics like "You Go To My Head" and the samba flavored "I've Got You Under My Skin," but her thick accent keeps the ears distracted somewhat from the message her heart seeks to convey. Fortunately, on these and other English language tunes by Don Grusin, Wayne Shorter and the vastly underrated L.A. keyboardist/songwriter Bill Cantos, she's surrounded by bandmates that propel her to great heights. On the opener "This Magic," that includes Moreira's jamming with flutist Gary Meek and members of The Yellowjackets. The same crowd turns "Speak No Evil" into a similarly wild trad-jazz affair. But compare her strained vocals on those tracks with her effortless vocal magic on Brazilian classics like "Tamanco no Samba" and "O Sonho" and the distinction between mere very good and close to perfection is clear. Another gem is the samba-lite tune written by Airto and Yutaka Yokokura, "Primeira Estrela," which rolls along on the strength of Purim's vocal harmonies with Yutaka and Oscar Castro Neves' beautiful acoustic guitar. To truly speak no musical evil, Purim should concentrate on mas Portugues. by Jonathan Widran  
Tracklist :
1     This Magic 5:06
Don Grusin
2     You Go to My Head 3:54
J. Fred Coots / Haven Gillespie
3     Speak No Evil (All for One) 5:13
Wayne Shorter
4     I've Got You Under My Skin 2:52
Cole Porter
5     Tamanco No Samba 5:05
Orlann Divo
6     Don't Say a Word 6:28
Bill Cantos
7     Primeira Estrela 5:01
Airto Moreira / Yutaka Yokokura
8     It Ain't Necessarily So 5:22
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
9     I Feel You 4:37
Bill Cantos
10     O Sonho (Moon Dreams) 6:39
Egberto Gismonti / Chummy MacGregor
Credits :
Jimmy Branley, Michito Sánchez - Percussion
Bill Cantos - Arranger, Composer, Keyboards
Oscar Castro-Neves - Arranger, Guitar (Acoustic), Keyboards
Russell Ferrante - Arranger, Keyboards
Jimmy Haslip, Trey Henry, Gary Brown - Bass
Christian Jacob - Keyboards
Gary Meek - Arranger, Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Flute, Producer, Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Airto Moreira - Composer, Drums, Percussion, Vocals (Background)
Flora Purim - Voices
Yutaka Yokokura - Arranger, Assistant Engineer, Composer, Keyboards, Producer, Vocal Treatments 

FLORA PURIM - Flora's Song (2005) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Throughout Flora's Song, the veteran Brazilian singer Flora Purim is heard in prime form. The ten compositions fit her style well; she swings in her own fashion and puts plenty of feeling into her vocals. In addition, there are many fine solos along the way, with the standouts including Harvey Wainapel's flute solo on "Flora's Song" and the steel drums of Andy Narrell on "E Precisa Perdoar" and "Forbidden Love." Whether any of the songs eventually become standards is open to question, but they are welcome additions to Flora Purim's repertoire. This is her most rewarding recording in several years, and she sounds quite happy throughout the excellent set. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Las Olas 6:57
Diana Moreira Booker / Jaco Pastorius / Flora Purim
2     Less Than Lovers
Diana Moreira Booker / Lynne Earls
3     This Is Me 4:53
Diana Moreira Booker / Krishna Booker
4     Flora's Song 9:19
Flora Purim
5     É Preciso Perdoar 4:08
Carlos Coqueijo / Aleyvando Luz    
6     Silvia 6:25
Airto Moreira
7     Forbidden Love 4:46
Diana Moreira Booker / Andy Narell
8     Anjo de Mim 4:28
Ivan Lins / Vitor Martins
9     Lua Cheia 5:58
Diana Moreira Booker / Lynne Earls
10     Anjo Do Amor 4:48
Toninho Horta / Flora Purim
Credits :
Diana Moreira Booker - Arranger, Composer, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background)
Krishna Booker - Arranger, Beat Box, Composer, Keyboard Programming, Vocals (Background)
Jimmy Branly -     Drums, Timbales
Grecco Buratto, José Neto - Guitar
Dori Caymmi - Guitar (Acoustic)
Andre De Santanna, Reggie Hamilton, Gary Brown - Bass
George Duke - Piano
Mark Egan - Bass, Bass Instrument
Rob Gardner, Adam Camardella - Vocals (Background)
Giovanni Hidalgo - Congas
Christian Jacob - Arranger, Piano
Gary Meek - Flute, Flute (Alto)
Airto Moreira - Audio Production, Composer, Drums, Percussion, Producer, Vocals (Background)
Andy Narell - Arranger, Composer, Keyboards, Steel Pan
Flora Purim - Audio Production, Composer, Producer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Marcos Silva -     Arranger, Keyboards
Harvey Wainapel - Saxophone

FLORA PURIM AND AIRTO - Wings Of Imagination (2001) 2CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This two-disc set by vocalist Flora Purim and percussionist Airto Moreira includes the Grammy-nominated album The Magicians and the rhythmically vibrant The Sun Is Out. The albums, originally released in 1986 and 1989 respectively, give listeners the full benefit of authentic Brazilian jazz and rhythms sung and played by two of the country's most innovative and imaginative artists. Among the favorites are "Esquinas," written by Djavan, and Purim's own "Midday Sun" -- both passionate accounts of the Brazilian world and jazz styles. by Paula Edelstein
Tracklist 1 :
The Magicians (1986)
1     Sweet Baby Blues 4:29
Jeannie Cheatham / Jimmy Cheatham
2     Garimpo 4:32
Marcos Silva
3     Esquinas 6:16
Djavan
4     Bird of Paradise 3:26
Airto Moreira / Flora Purim / Louis Small
5     The Magicians 2:59
Egberto Gismonti / Airto Moreira
6     Jennifer 5:25
Kei Akagi         
7     Jump 4:08
Jeff Elliot
8     Two Minutes of Peace 3:04
Marcos Silva
9     Love Reborn 3:34
George Duke / Flora Purim
Tracklist 2 :
The Sun Is Out (1987)
1     Samba da Cantor 4:35
Airto Moreira / José Neto / Flora Purim
2     The Hope 3:53
Flora Purim
3     Viver de Amor 3:28
Ronaldo Bastos / Toninho Horta
4     Pablo Serena 3:51
José Neto / Flora Purim
5     The Sun Is Out 3:56
José Neto / Flora Purim
6     Lua Flora 5:59
José Neto / Flora Purim
7     Asas da Imaginacao 3:45
Diana Moreira / Flora Purim
8     Forever Friends 3:52
Randy Tico
9     Midday Sun 3:30
Flora Purim
10     Olivia (Changes) 4:38
Flora Purim / Marcos Silva
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – David Tolegian
Bass – Bob Harrison, Gary Brown, Keith Jones, Randy Tico
Drums – Celso Alberti, Mike Shapiro, Tony Moreno
Guitar – David Zeiher, Jose Neto, Ricardo Peixoto
Horn – Jeff Elliott, Mary Fettig
Keyboards – George Duke, Kei Akagi, Marcos Silva, Tom McMorran
Percussion, Vocals – Airto Moreira
Vocals – Flora Purim, Kenny Loggins