Perpetual Emotion
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, butPerpetual Emotionshows 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 ofChick Corea,Antonio Carlos Jobim, andMcCoy Tynerwith consummate instincts and style. More of a straight-ahead album than the Brazilian jazz fusion of her classics,Butterfly DreamsandStories to Tell,Perpetual Emotionalso 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 ofKurt Weill's overexposed "My Ship."Perpetual Emotionreally 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 fromrubatointro to yearning verses with bubbly instrumental flourishes. Jobim's "Fotographia" is another high point. With guitar and arrangement byOscar 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 Emotioncloses 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