By Kitty
I had not paid much attention to the DJ-turned-producer Guts (Fabrice Franck Henri) until I encountered his work from the past decade. What distinguishes his 2019 release, Philanthropiques, is his departure from a predominantly solo, digitally-sampled-DJ-style toward recording with a live band—an artistic shift that brings a fresh and vibrant dimension to the album.
Philanthropiques is a double LP that blends elements of Hip-Hop, Latin, Folk, World, and Country music. It marks the producer’s sixth studio album and offers a rich, danceable journey through the musical landscapes of Brazil, the Caribbean, and Africa.
Although Guts, a French producer based in Ibiza, Spain, was previously unfamiliar to me, I came across Philanthropiques while searching for music by Brazilian artist Catia Werneck. What initially captivated me was Guts’ collaboration with a diverse array of international artists, including Zum Zum, Catia Werneck, Djeudjoah & Lieutenant Nicholson, Pat Kalla, Black Sage, Pinduca & Nazaré Pereira, Emma Lamadji & Kandy Guira, and Amanda Roldan. Together, they create an exuberant, rhythm-driven sound that radiates global influence and infectious energy.
This is an album you’ll want to revisit repeatedly—the tracks are smooth, joyful, and diverse, while maintaining a cohesive tropical undertone throughout.
Standout tracks include “Matadou” and “Já não há mais paz,” featuring Catia Werneck.
