Some voices are simply so unique and individual that your first encounter with them stays with you forever. It’s often the beauty of the voice that strikes you the most powerfully, and after a few notes, you’re convinced to track down more recordings. Other times, the lyrical content sends a message that connects with your inner aesthetics on a personal basis.
Some vocalists approach the music with such a unique and different perspective, you can’t understand them at all; something about their passion sticks with you though. There’s a number of reasons that a voice would find a place in your head, but once it’s there, it becomes a permanent fixture.
One of the most memorable voices that I’ve encountered during my infatuation with jazz has been the magical sound of Flora Purim. While still a young college music major with more rock experience than jazz, one of my fellow students challenged me with the Chick Corea composition “Spain.” After drawing a serious blank, they told me about the beauties of Return To Forever and sent me to the record store to find an album.
I dug through the Chick Corea section and found Light As A Feather
, which I promptly bought and headed home. After popping the cassette tape into the player, the only thing that I could think was “Who is that singer?” I just couldn’t connect with the dated lyrics and the edgy quality of her voice. I fast-forwarded to “Spain” and then took another trip to the record store for a different version of the song.
, which I promptly bought and headed home. After popping the cassette tape into the player, the only thing that I could think was “Who is that singer?” I just couldn’t connect with the dated lyrics and the edgy quality of her voice. I fast-forwarded to “Spain” and then took another trip to the record store for a different version of the song.Later, as I furiously tried to understand Brazilian music, another student musician guided me to Flora Purim. Not realizing we were talking about the same singer from Light As A Feather, I went to the same record store and this time bought a CD of Stories To Tell. I dug the musical approach, but the album challenged me - it didn’t sound like the simple picture that I mistakenly held about Brazilian music. Once again, I looked for an alternate recording. Years later, I returned for a deeper study of Brazilian music and its connection to seventies jazz fusion and modern Latin Jazz.
, I went to the same record store and this time bought a CD of Stories To Tell. I dug the musical approach, but the album challenged me - it didn’t sound like the simple picture that I mistakenly held about Brazilian music. Once again, I looked for an alternate recording. Years later, I returned for a deeper study of Brazilian music and its connection to seventies jazz fusion and modern Latin Jazz.As I delved deeply into the rich musical legacies of Hermeto Pascoal and Airto Moreira, I once again encountered Flora Purim. This time I stayed at home and downloaded a digital version of Seeds on Ground, the classic collaboration between Moreira, Pascoal, and Purim. Maybe my musical sensibilities had evolved by this point or maybe I simply understood Brazilian music in a more insightful way, but I was absolutely intrigued with Purim’s voice.
, the classic collaboration between Moreira, Pascoal, and Purim. Maybe my musical sensibilities had evolved by this point or maybe I simply understood Brazilian music in a more insightful way, but I was absolutely intrigued with Purim’s voice.Songs like “O Sonho” sounded a lot like the Return To Forever material that I initially rejected, but I simply loved it. Purim’s unique swing over the samba rhythm, her bold freedom of expression, and her aggressive attack resonated with me; I spent every last penny downloading as much of her music as possible. From that point forward, Purim’s voice remained in my head, one of my favorite ways to enjoy Brazilian music.
Purim celebrates her 69th birthday this Sunday, March 6, 2011, celebrating years as an adventurous and innovative advocate of Brazilian jazz. Her distinct vocal sound and experimental nature have made her one of the most important voices in modern Brazilian jazz, and a simply unforgettable performer.
In celebration of Purim’s contributions, today’s Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix is dedicated to her work. The first video features Purim in collaboration with her husband, leading a group in 1985. The remaining three videos spotlight a group that the duo co-led for many years, Fourth World. Purim helped Brazilian music move into the twenty-first century, a fact evidenced by the forward-looking music in these videos - enjoy!
Airto Moreira & Flora Purim Group in 1985
0 Comments:
Post a Comment