Formed in 1990, Fourth World was not so much a melting pot as a smoking cauldron of diverse musical flavors. Fourth World – the blazing joint project of three of the world’s most exciting and accomplished musicians. Airto Moreira, the brilliant Brazilian percussionist and modern jazz legend is joined by his wife, Flora Purim, and her astonishing voice of, all six octaves of it, while José Neto, plays guitar in his own inimitable style and writes many of the band’s tunes. This music grew out of the rain forest and traveled northwards, its percussive heartbeat pulsing through samba, jazz and rock rhythms. It’s a highly personal sound, but – like the forest – global in impact. Fourth World’s Europe tour throughout the Spring of 1997 was joined by Gary Brown on bass, Widor Santiago on reeds and Joao de Avellar on keys.

The band was joined initially by Gary Meek and later by keyboardist/flutist Jovino Santos Neto and Gary Brown on bass and back-up vocals.

Reviews of Fourth World live: ‘Purim’s light, playful voice and Moreira’s one-man percussion concertos make an enthralling combination, particularly when coupled with the graceful swing of Brazilian dance music.” – John Fordham, The Guardian’ Flora’s wordless vocal lines dance perfectly in tune with Neto and Santos, a feat of timing which she pulls of with deceptive ease.” – Jack Massarik, The London Evening Standard