A classic batch of Bay Area Brazilian grooves – recorded in the sweet breezy electric style of the Fantasy studios, and featuring the vocals of the lovely Flora Purim in the lead! The session's got a great mix of Brazilian and American fusion players – including Airto (of course!), Ron Carter, George Duke, Egberto Gismonti, Alphonso Johnson, Robertinho Silva, Hermeto Pascoal, and Ndugu Leon Chancler. Pascoal's reed work is a very nice treat, especially over the warm keyboards of George Duke. Purim's voice is as wonderful as ever, and the album's got lots of nice numbers, like "Ina's Song", "Andei (I Walked)", "Time's Lie", and "Open Your Eyes You Can Fly". (Brazil, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful little record that's like few other we can think of – the debut of bassist Esperanza Spaulding, a player who also sings along wordlessly with her strings! The style is quite unique, and completely great – and Esperanza's really opened up a whole new territory here with her compelling approach. The lineup here includes piano and drums next to the bass and vocals – brought together with a warmth that recalls some of the best freedoms of mainstream 70s jazz piano sides, touched with modes from Brazilian jazz – but again, the work is done in a fresh approach here that's uniquely its own! Titles include great versions of Jimmy Rowles "The Peacocks", Egberto Gismonti's "Loro", and Chick Corea's "Humpty Dumpty" – plus the originals "Two Bad", "Perazela", "Mompouana", and "Perazuan". (Neo Soul, Vocalists) CD