Fourth World [Import anglais] Import

This album was released in 1993 - a few years after the band formed (and according to their discography after the performance at Ronnie Scott's). Consisting of Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Jose Neto and Gary meek, you have a wealth of experience, knowledge and prodigal talent as well for a forward thinking experience. It wasn't too surprising that they went in this direction. Working with Dizzie G. on his final album "Rhythmsticks" only a few years before - another album that featured latin and African elements, highlighted too by a Moacir Santos standard, "Fourth World" always had a lot of thought put into the direction of the band. But who would've guessed just how much smaller the world would get after 1994 up to Fourth World's final album in about 1999-2000 (Last Journey); by which time their songs and approach was so well known that it had spawned remixes, a remix album and a kind of cult following around the Japanese, European and US jazz scenes?

When you listen to the studio album, you can see why. The live instrumentation makes it difficult to date a release, and quality musicians like these can create something timeless. OPening up with "Esperanza", you can immediately feel the energy in the album. Terrific production, a real 'world' feel, and the childrens voices were nice touch. "River of Sao Francisco" was also nice, a little dreamy with great piano work. Using a few effects, they create an ambiance in the song while at the same time managing to pay hommage to the great 70's track off of Airto's "Fingers" album. Flora's voice is never overwhelming. "Starfish" is one of my favorite tracks on the album - if anything because of the rolling, tremendous percussion build. Nice vocal, and great guitar/sax work as well from Jose and Gary. The architecture of the song itself is also quite well thought out. Also really enjoyed the festive "Africa", which really showed what groups like Batu or later Da Lata were really aiming at but couldn't quite capture, and then the wonderful "Lua". But if one song stands out from the rest I'd say it was "Seven Steps", a track that Jose Neto really took the reigns on. Tremendous flute, solos and thanks to Airto and Flora, it has a very distinctly Brazilian flavor to it. Light, dancing scat/vocal with flute - but the genius really is in capturing the essence of Brazilian music.

It's tough for me to review artists I really like personally, but with this one after listening again after quite a while on the shelf, and rediscovering my love of the album, felt it wouldn't be right to NOT review it. With all of that said, why only 4 stars? Because for as much as I enjoyed it, I have to admit that the album fizzles a bit after "Seven Steps", not ending particularly strong. The keys on "Firewater-Jive Talk" were never quite a sound I personally liked, and Santa Anita actually features rap. Yes, rap. Not bad mind you, but not necessary either. Still, it's not nearly enough to not recommend this tremendous piece of music. The two longest tracks are actually my two favorites. Also, again think it's fascinating that when I listened to groups like Da Lata or Jazzinho, something how they took a page from this great band's book to try to create a somewhat more 'world' album. But with the decades of experience that Jose, Airto, Flora and Gary have under their belts maybe it's unfair to really compare... the tight musicianship they exhibit here is really unforced and flowing. Nice album - and nice linear notes as well!

A name to lend shape to our texture, nurse me to life, bring out the color, teach me to laugh. lift me up on your shoulder, sing and dance, let the music take over!

This was not so commercial as the releases over the last few years. This is serious kick ass jazz. Flora hasn't gotten it on quite like this in a while. I hope they make more stiff like this.

Fourth World was a quartet led by Airto Moreira and his wife Flora Purim, two names that should be quite familiar to jazz fans. Guitarist José Neto and multi-instrumentalist Gary Meek round out the quartet, which blends Brazilian and African influences into an organic whole. Indeed, I was surprised at how much this sounds like a group effort rather than a collection of showpieces for the four musicians. The emphasis is on creating an organic musical whole rather than producing a soloist/accompaniment kind of music. This is an explosive CD that begs to be played on a big system with lots and lots of watts and woofers.

I was surprised to be the first person to review this album. I would have guessed it was part of the collection of anyone interested in world music. It is certainly one of my favorite CDs. I bought it because I am a big fan of Airto and Flora Purim, but the rest of the band also is outstanding. It combines the great Brazilian sound with almost a surreal feel. A great CD for road trips.