Flora É M.P.M.

Long before her marriage and musical partnership with Airto Moreira, before working with Chick Corea, before jazz fusion was even a thing, Flora Purim was already a talent to be reckoned with. On this small ensemble album from 1964, she’s already totally at one with the bossa nova style, bringing in her love of intimate jazz performers like Billie Holiday and Bill Evans, and a nod to her own Jewish heritage on a storming “Hava Nagila.” It’s the announcement of a unique and powerful voice, but it’s also a joyful record in its own right.