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Good enough to give you chills. I first saw Flora Purim on a late night music show shortly after she was released, and her live performances there were even better than the ones on the album. I've listened to this album (on vinyl) many, many times, especially the opening cut "Open your eyes, you can fly" and "Andrei (I walked)". The latter has been recorded a number of times by Airto Moreira and friends, but none of the others top this one. The English words are sometimes a bit awkward, but not the music and singing. I don't guarantee you'll like it but you should at least check it out.
Owned this recording as a record 25 years ago. Bought it again as a CD because it is so beautiful and am happy to have the sounds back in my life.
.this album has aged well. So as you might expect, it's particularly joyous and free; two adjectives often associated with Flora. I like it much more now than when it was released. And speaking of released, this is her comeback album after doing time at Terminal Island. Although it has a much different feel, it shares with Wayne Shorter's "Native Dancer" Americans and Brazilians working together wonderfully. Hermeto Pascoal is dynamite here.
For decades, Flora Purim has been the Queen of Brazilian Soul. While, over a quarter-century later, Open Your Eyes You Can Fly has well stood the test of time, I think you will also find it delightfully, immediately accessible; it's one of those rare music masterpieces of which both can be stated. It was worth the wait; the CD mastering is superb.
She recorded it in 1976, following her 18 month prison term for alledged drug possession. But the young, underrated Alphonso Johnson, on acoustic and electric bass, is the album's secret weapon.Not only is this one of the great jazz albums of the Seventies (a wildly underrated and misunderstood decade for jazz), this is one of the great albums - period - of th Seventies. Open Your Eyes You Can Fly stands as her masterpiece.
A dream band backs Flora, including her husband, Airto; George Duke on keyboards; Flora's mentor, the peerless Hermento Pascoal on flute and keyboards; the great Ron Carter sits in on bass for "san Fransisco River", one of the many highlights (there are so many highlights it's hard to choose). And, boy, does she ever feel free. This album has only recently beome available on CD.
This album certainly sits in the Pantheon of my favorite albums of this period. Enjoy.
All the instruments, along with Purim's lovely voice becoming one with the soundscape, will hold you glued to the speakers until the curtain falls. George Duke and Airto, among others, add their strong presence to this effort. Climb aboard, the freedom train is ready to carry you to wherever your heart desires. Progressive jazz normally has odd time signatures provoked by the shouting rock elements.
She had just been released from a prison term on drug charges. This is in a literal and real life sense for Purim. She uses many resources by accessing her cultural roots, and musical background to brew a stew of Latin-progressive-jazz that defies categorization and genre placement. Visually you will see how the concept of this whole project becomes a reality with the all change and celebration going on all around it.
It all takes on a meaning and life of it's own with the help of Purim's individuality and expressiveness. Purim has an angelic and airy vocal style that endears you to her anthem and music. The essence and core of Purim's being is found interlaced amongst the musical meandering and transitory complexities of jazz. Freedom, and the celebration that's found in the music, has a firm foothold on this entire session. Flora Purim, who is recognized more frequently as having a strong connection to husband Airto, and Chick Corea and Return To Forever, released a conceptual solo album in 1976 entitled "Open Your Eyes You Can Fly." The cover and album title speak of one main focus, freedom.
The music and words are separate entities, yet they consummate a partnership by making both factors proportionate to each other. Music like this is further proof that it should be acknowledged as a sentient being. The percussion and strings enhance the listeners experience and give the music a strength and mystical element heretofore not found in other music. What's so interesting and absorbing about this music is they way it changes it's flight so rapidly without ever falling. The music and sound of her vocalizations clearly declare her new found freedom and rebirth into humanity. Each song is a celebration of life and the freedom that can be found, if one opens their eyes to see. This doesn't happen at all during these sessions.
At times you will hear her singing like a beautiful songbird taking flight, or using her voice as an instrument rather than relating a message through her own words. Latin music and jazz are not strange bedfellows; they can lay side by side, or conveniently depart to go in any direction without breaking the ties that hold them together. The lead guitar is clear, clean and focused when exploring the electric aspects of the style. Keith Hannaleck
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