Perpetual Emotion

Flora Purim

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 13, 2001)
• Original Release Date: February 13, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Narada
• ASIN: B0000589U6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #162,248 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Though her voice cracks occasionally and sounds ever slightly lower in pitch than when she reigned in the 1970s, Flora Purim is still one of the finest jazz vocalists around. Why she has not recorded since 1994 is a bit of a mystery, but Perpetual Emotion shows that the Queen of Brazilian Soul is still on top of her game. Expressive, engrossing, swinging, and rich in tonality and nuance, Purim's instrument remains sensuous and soaring as she interprets the work of Chick Corea, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and McCoy Tyner with consummate instincts and style. More of a straight-ahead album than the Brazilian jazz fusion of her classics, Butterfly Dreams and Stories to Tell, Perpetual Emotion also features the songs and percussion of Purim's husband, Airto Moreira. His drumming and evocative percussion were the springboard for some of her best work, and the magic is still there (even if his drumming lacks its '70s fire). Their "San Francisco River" opens the album in a breezy mood, followed by a sweet reading of Kurt Weill's overexposed "My Ship." Perpetual Emotion really starts to groove with Flora's return to bossa nova on "Saudade." The subtle, sinewy rhythm is perfect, as is Flora's fragile, wonder-laden delivery. She gives so much of herself in each bar that it's sublime.

At 3:02, "Saudade" is too short, but it's followed by another Brazilian classic, Corea's "Crystal Silence." Again, Flora's treatment is beautiful, drawing you in note by note, as the song moves from rubato intro to yearning verses with bubbly instrumental flourishes. Jobim's "Fotographia" is another high point. With guitar and arrangement by Oscar Castro Neves, the song swings lightly around a glowing vocal choir and Flora and Neves's sparse vocal. Almost five minutes into the tune, Airto's samba groove lifts off and the magic comes down--Flora's interaction with the choir and Airto's drumming make for an exquisite moment. "Airto's Jazz Dance" briefly revisits "Spain," featuring some high-flying improv with Flora scatting, growling, and vocalizing like in her work of yesteryear. Perpetual Emotion closes with the intimate "Carinhoso," a lovely duet between Flora and guitarist Castro Neves that shows the singer in all her gleaming, slightly shy glory. Welcome back, Flora! --Ken Micallef

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Familiar songs in an unfamiliar venue, February 22, 2001

By	Dean Monti - See all my reviews

On the heels of the last few releases from Flora and Airto, you might be surprised to discover Perpetual Emotion is a vocal album very much in the jazz standard tradition.

Flora has recorded at least five of these songs before (it's at least the third time for San Francisco River and Escape), but make no mistake -- you've never heard them like this. Flora relies less on vocal effects (as she has in the past)or on the virtuouso pyrotechnics of her band mates, and more on passionate, flawless renderings of great songs.

Airto is subdued in a way that is appropriate for this venture, but gets to break loose with a burning drum solo on Airto's Jazz Dance. Flora is also backed by Fourth World bandmate Gary Meek on sax and talented newcomers to the Flora/Airto camp, pianist Christian Jacob and bassist Trey Henry. There's enough Brazil in this CD (particularly on Fotografia and Saudade),to satisfy long-time Flora and Airto fans, but with compostions by Ira Gershwin and Kurt Weill among others, this will also make fans of traditional female jazz vocalists sit up and take notice.

If this is not essential Flora, it is certainly fair to say you haven't heard the full breadth of talent she has until you've heard this CD.

5.0 out of 5 stars In perfect harmony!, November 8, 2001

By	M. Sommers (Athens Greece) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Not much to add to the previous review except to remark on the fantastic sensitivity all the musicians on the wonderful record exhibit towards each other. The more I listen to this, the more I am struck by the fact that whether Flora is singing or someone else is playing a solo, the other musicians are all doing EXACTLY the right thing behind them. Apart from its artistic/inspirational qualities, it is a long time since I heard anything quite this well crafted.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Flora Purim CD in years..., June 14, 2001

By	Siegfried P. Duray-Bito (Littleton, CO United States) - See all my reviews

...in fact, it may be her best work ever. I love it!

Siegfried