AIRTO MOREIRA - The Other Side of This (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Using voice, drum, whistle, chimes, shakers, rattle, tambourine, and didgeridoo, Airto and company make music that comes from all regions and belongs to none. These are songs for ritual and healing, based on many cultures. The mood is ethereal, yet because of the predominance of percussion, also powerful. New age music with punch. by Steven McDonald
Tracklist :
1     Endless Cycle 4:00
Airto Moreira
Vocals, Drums [The 'Beast' - Suspended Steel Cylinder Drums], Bells, Whistle [Air Whistle] – Airto Moreira   
2     Tumbleweed 5:20
Airto Moreira
Ghatam – T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram
Tabla, Wood Block [Wood] – Zakir Hussain
Wood Block [Wood] – Babatunde Olatunji, Kitaro, Mickey Hart
Wood Block [Wood], Vocals, Rattle, Shaker, Flute [Wooden], Flute [Charming] – Airto Moreira   
3     Back Streets of Havana 2:44
Bata, Cowbell, Shekere, Vocals – Giovanni Hidalgo
Bata, Shekere, Lead Vocals – Frank Colon
Bata, Vocals, Handclaps – Airto Moreira
Vocals, Handclaps – Diana Moreira   
4     Healing Sounds 2:42
Verna Yater
Vocals – Dr Verna Yater   
5     The Underwater People 8:30
Airto Moreira
Ghatam – T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram
Tabla – Zakir Hussain
Vocals – Diana Moreira
Vocals, Percussion [Water Bottle], Flute [Wooden], Caxixi, Ganzá, Whistle [Air Whistle] – Airto Moreira
6     Old Man's Song 2:04
Airto Moreira
Vocals, Tambourine [Brazillian], Djembe, Caxixi – Airto Moreira
7     Hey Ya 4:06
Airto Moreira
Percussion [Stomping, Tree Branches], Vocals, Surdo, Shaker, Cowbell, Rattle, Bullroarer – Airto Moreira
Percussion [Stomping], Vocals – Caryl Ohrbach, Cheryl McEnaney, Diana Moreira, Flora Purim, Kitaro, Rose Solomon
Percussion [Stomping], Vocals, Shaker, Rattle – Mickey Hart
8     When Angels Cry 4:17
Flora Purim
Chimes, Performer [Bird Calls] – Airto Moreira
Vocals – Flora Purim
9     Dom-Um (A Good Friend) 5:58
Zakir Hussain / Airto Moreira
Berimbau, Caxixi, Triangle, Nose Flute, Vocals, Performer [Bird Calls] – Airto Moreira
Tabla – Zakir Hussain
10     Street Reunion 2:57
Bata, Lead Vocals, Shekere – Frank Colon
Bata, Vocals, Handclaps – Airto Moreira
Bata, Vocals, Shekere, Cowbell – Giovanni Hidalgo
Vocals, Handclaps – Diana Moreira   
11     Mirror of the Past 6:12
Airto Moreira
Didgeridoo, Vocals, Flute [African Black], Rattle [African Rattles], Bells [Chinese], Wind [Hollow Bamboo Blown On Water] – Airto Moreira
12     Sedonia's Circle 3:31
Stanley Clarke
Frame Drum, Vocals – Amrita Blain, Caryl Ohrbach, Jana Holmer, Justine Toms, KC Ross, Leah Martino, Sedonia Cahill
Rattle, Vocals – Margie Clark
Tar (Drum), Vocals – Margaret Barkley
Vocals – Diana Moreira, Flora Purim
13     Terra E Mar 6:03
Airto Moreira
Singing Bowls [Tibetan Bowl] – Mickey Hart
Vocals – Diana Moreira
Vocals, Rainstick [Brazilian], Conch, Performer [Bird Calls], Nose Flute, Sounds [Water Sounds] – Airto Moreira

AIRTO MOREIRA - Samba de Flora (1989) 32bits-96Hz / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

An effusively performed minor classic of Brazilian jazz fusion, percussionist Airto Moreira's 1988 album Samba de Flora found him diving into an organic mix of originals and covers alongside equally gifted collaborators including his wife vocalist Flora Purim, Argentine pianist Jorge Dalto, bassist Alphonso Johnson, percussionist Don Alias, Cuban conga player Cachete, and others. The album was originally released on the cult independent Montuno Records label, based out of the Record Mart record store located in the Times Square subway station. Founded by Latin music impresario Al Santiago in 1975, Montuno issued album after album documenting the exuberant music and musicians whom Latin fans -- and specifically Latin dance fans -- were digging in NYC in the '70s and '80s. The centerpiece of the album is the propulsive minor-key title track, which features Moreira on both percussion and vocals, leading his band through an absolutely infectious dancefloor banger. Following the songs' minute-long percussion intro, Moreira and his band erupt into a dynamic call-and-response verse that conjures images of stylish dancers coupled in a sweaty samba frenzy. Equally captivating is the group's buoyant reading of Hugo Fattoruso and Ruben Rada's "Dedos" featuring Purim's earthy, smiling vocals. Elsewhere, they offer a similarly sparkling rendition of George Duke's "Yanah Amina" and plunge into the electric guitar-tinged Tropicalia of "Latin Woman." Moreira also reveals a gift for elegiac balladry, showcasing his burnished baritone vocals on the yearning, spare piano numbers "Mulambo" and "La Puerta." As with many of the LPs released by Montuno, Samba de Flora is a warmly produced album with a vibrant live aesthetic that steams with the energy and passion of a concert given in the heat of a New York City summer. by Matt Collar  
Tracklist :
1     Parana 4:26
Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Berimbau – Frank Colon
Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Airto Moreira
Guitar – Roland Bautista
Keyboards – Jorge Dalto
Percussion – Don Alias, Giovanni "Mañenguito" Hidalgo
Synthesizer – Kei Akagi
2     Samba de Flora 6:16
Tite Curet Alonso / Jorge Dalto
Bass – Michael Shapiro
Drums, Vocals – Airto Moreira
Keyboards – Jorge Dalto
Percussion – Angel "Cachete" Maldonado, Donald Alias*, Frank Colon, Giovanni "Mañenguito" Hidalgo     
3     La Puerta 5:39
Luis Demetrio
Piano [Acoustic] – Jorge Dalto
Vocals – Airto Moreira
4     Dedos 5:22
Hugo Fattoruso / Ruben Rada
Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Bongos – Giovanni "Mañenguito" Hidalgo
Congas – Angel "Cachete" Maldonado
Drums, Percussion – Airto Moreira
Keyboards – Jorge Dalto
Synthesizer – Kei Akagi
Trombone – Raul De Souza
Trumpet – Jeff Elliott
Vocals – Flora Purim, Rafael José
5     Yanah Amina 3:22
George Duke
Backing Vocals – Jill Avery
Bass – Randy Tico
Drums, Percussion, Congas – Airto Moreira
Saxophone, Flute, Soloist – David Tolegian
Trumpet – Rolando Gingras
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Soloist – Jeff Elliott
Vocals – Flora Purim
6     El Fiasco 5:56
Jeff Elliott
Bass – Randy Tico
Drums – Tony Moreno
Keyboards – Bruce Bigenho
Percussion – Luiz Muños
Percussion, Congas – Airto Moreira
Saxophone – David Tolegian
Trumpet – Jeff Elliott, Rolando Gingras
7     Mulambo 6:30
Public Domain / Jaime Florence / Augusto Mesquita
Piano [Acoustic] – Jorge Dalto
Vocals – Airto Moreira, Flora Purim
8     Latin Woman 5:24
Bass – Keith Jones
Drums – Tony Moreno
Guitar – Larry Nass
Horns – Jeff Elliott
Keyboards – Jorge Dalto
Percussion, Congas – Airto Moreira
Piccolo Flute – Joe Farrell
Vocals – Flora Purim
Larry Nass

AIRTO MOREIRA - Homeless (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although Airto Moreira was never a jazz purist, most of his work has been jazz-oriented. From his years with Chick Corea's first Return to Forever lineup to his classic CTI dates of the 1970s to his work on wife Flora Purim's albums, the Brazilian drummer/vocalist has been known for combining jazz with Brazilian music, rock, and funk. No one could ever accuse Purim's husband of being someone who is only interested in showing the world how fast he can play John Coltrane's "Giant Steps," but it is safe to say that most of Moreira's work has been jazz-oriented even though it isn't straight-ahead bop. Homeless, however, is a Moreira project that has very little to do with jazz. This diverse, highly rhythmic CD draws on everything from pop, funk, hip-hop, and Afro-Brazilian tribal chanting to club and rave music, but jazz considerations aren't a priority. Although Homeless isn't the least bit predictable, there is something that ties all the material together: rhythm. Whether Moreira is embracing melodic Brazilian pop on the introspective "Wake Up Now" (which features his daughter, singer Diana Moreira Booker), getting into Afro-Brazilian tribal sounds on "The Last One" and "Come As You Are" (which are all rhythm and no melody), or getting into a moody yet funky rave/trance groove on "Vira Poeira (Burning to Dust)," the common denominator is Moreira's distinctively Brazilian sense of rhythm. The lead vocals are shared by Moreira and Booker; while Moreira sings in Portuguese, his daughter handles the English lyrics. Not surprisingly, Booker sounds somewhat like Purim, although she does have an appealing delivery of her own. This likable, if a bit uneven, CD isn't among Moreira's essential releases, but it's an intriguing addition to his catalog -- and he deserves credit for trying something a bit. by Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1     Vira Poeira (Turn to Dust) 4:47
Krishna Booker / Airto Moreira
2     Come as You Are 4:45
Airto Moreira
3     700 Years 4:48
Krishna Booker / Giovanni Hidalgo / Airto Moreira
4     After These Messages 3:03
Krishna Booker / Airto Moreira
5     Street Vendors (D'Jmbo) 5:02
Krishna Booker / Airto Moreira
6     Wake up Now 4:16
Airto Moreira / José Neto
7     Homeless (Around the Fire) 6:19
Airto / Airto Moreira
8     Samba 4 Sale 6:59
Airto Moreira
9     Ginga Sem Fronteira 5:57
Krishna Booker / Airto Moreira
10     The Last One 4:41
Airto Moreira
Credits :
Backing Vocals – Airto Moreira (faixas: 1, 2, 3, 6), Db a.k.a. Decibel (faixas: 9), The Factor (faixas: 1, 2)
Bass – Gary Brown (faixas: 3, 6)
Drums – Airto Moreira (faixas: 1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10), Changuito (faixas: 6), Meia Noite (faixas: 5), Pablo Silva (faixas: 2, 8)
Flute [Wooden Flutes] – Airto Moreira
Guitar – José Neto
Human Beatbox – The Factor (faixas: 4)
Keyboards – The Factor (faixas: 1, 3, 5, 9)
Lead Vocals – Airto Moreira (faixas: 1, 5, 9), Db a.k.a. Decibel (faixas: 3, 5, 6,)
Lyrics By [Portuguese Words] – Hilton Barcelos (faixas: 9)
Other [Background Ambience] – Airto Moreira (faixas: 7, 8, 10), Db a.k.a. Decibel (faixas: 7, 10), Flora Purim (faixas: 7), Freddie Santiago (faixas: 7), Giovanni Hidalgo (faixas: 7), The Factor (faixas: 10)
Percussion – Airto Moreira (faixas: 1 - 3, 5 - 9), Amén Santos (faixas: 2, 8, 10), Changuito (faixas: 3, 4), Freddie Santiago (faixas: 6), Giovanni Hidalgo (faixas: 3, 6), Meia Noite (faixas: 1, 4, 5), Pablo Silva (faixas: 10)

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
Vocals – Flora Purim

 

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
Gary Brown - Bass
Grecco Buratto - Guitar
Adam Camardella - Vocals (Background)
Dori Caymmi - Guitar (Acoustic)
Andre De Santanna - Bass
George Duke - Piano
Mark Egan - Bass, Bass Instrument
Rob Gardner - Vocals (Background)
Reggie Hamilton - Bass
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
José Neto - Guitar
Flora Purim - Audio Production, Composer, Producer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Marcos Silva -     Arranger, Keyboards
Harvey Wainapel - Saxophone

GIOVANNI HIDALGO - Hands of Rhythm [1997]

Could a collaborative effort between Dominican piano virtuoso Michel Camilio and Giovanni Hidalgo, who is commonly known as the finest living conguero, possibly live up to the expectations? The answer Hands of Rhythm offers is nothing short of "All that and them some, baby." The beautiful thing about hearing both Camilo and Hidalgo in a rare duo format is that unlike larger band contexts, their genius does not compete for sonic space with anyone. Every note, every stroke is clearly audible, and crystal clear. Almost as fantastic as the instrumental performance was the repertoire chosen. In fact, the overall flavor is not what one might expect from two players known well for blistering speed. A haunting, sensitive rendition of "Footprints" and the reminiscent "En Mi Viejo San Juan" are welcome surprises from a percussion lead duo. "Softly as in the Morning" and "Blue Monk" are swinging from start to finish. With these jazzy selections, the bossa nova-at-its-best "If You Knew," and the merengue "Papa Boco," Hands of Rhythm shies away from the clave-driven music that made these two men famous. And yet, they prove themselves as adept in any one idiom as the other. Hidalgo and Camilo make up for their small numbers with both taste and sheer brilliance. Hands of Rhythm is required listening for both these musician's loyal fan bases, and the Latin jazz listening public alike.  by Evan C. Gutierrez  
Tracklist 
1  And Sammy Walked In  5:53
Michel Camilo
2  Footprints  5:07
Wayne Shorter
3  Amo Esta Isla  4:22
Pablo Milanés
4  Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise  4:15
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg 
5  My Soul Beat  4:10
Giovanni Hidalgo
6  Papa Boco  4:50
Manuel Sanchez Acosta / Acosta Chapuseaux / Jose Ernesto Chapuseaux 
7  Blue Monk  3:47
Thelonious Monk
8  If You Knew...  5:14
Michel Camilo

9  En Mi Viejo San Juan  4:05 

Noel Estrada

10  Hello And Goodbye  6:17
Michel Camilo

11  Hands In Motion  3:02 

Giovanni Hidalgo
Credits
Michel Camilo : Arranger, Composer, Guest Artist, Performer, Piano, Primary Artist, Producer 
Giovanni Hidalgo : Arranger, Art Direction, Bongos, Chimes, Composer, Congas, Cowbell, Cymbals, Floor Tom, Guiro, Jawbone, Pandereta, Primary Artist, Producer, Timbales, Wood Block 

GIOVANNI HIDALGO - Hands of Rhythm

 [1997] RRM / CBR320 / scans

O Púbis da Rosa

GONZALO RUBALCABA & CUBAN QUARTET – Antíguo (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Antiguo is different than most Gonzalo Rubalcaba records. The pianist spends a lot of time exploring synthesizers. Some of the music (particularly "Eshun Agwe") is memorable but at other times the results are merely haunting mood music. Rubalcaba and his longtime quartet (trumpeter Reynaldo Melian, bassist Felipe Cabrera, and drummer Julio Barreto) are joined in spots by the voices of Maridalia Hernandez and Lazaro Ros, percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo, and violinist Dagoberto Gonzalez. The influence of Chick Corea is strong in some of the selections as it is in the sound of Rubalcaba's synthesizers. Not essential but worth a few listens. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
 1 Opening 0:17
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
 2 Circuito III 8:45
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
 3 Ellioko 11:25
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
 4 Desierto 6:38
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
 5 Intermitencia 8:05
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
 6 Coral Negro 9:55
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
 7 Circuito IV 8:53
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
 8 Oddi Lobbe 6:58
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
 9 Eshun Agwe 7:43
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
 10 Homenaje 4:26
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
 11 Closing 0:18
Gonzalo Rubalcaba