I’m a massive admirer of french artist, GUTS. I discovered his music a few years back with  the epic ‘ les bienheureux’ album produced by wax labels, 2007, who’ve  released  albums such as ‘Nightmares on wax presents ‘Nightmares on wax’

Bob powers ( Tribe called quest, Roots) took him under his wing and schooled him on how to keep his flavor full of flavor.

He’s a full trained four star chef!

His early music influences come from hip hop artists such as  KRS ONE and Public enemy.

His music reflects  his love of traveling and cultures and his fascination with cuisine.GUTS has exotic flavor  Some one who travels  extensively to  places like Senegal- has to be  conscious about global social issues.

 I have huge respect for any artist who uses their talent and works to explore urgent issues that need addressing. His music is  mostly mixed samples, electronic , hip hop beats with plenty of instrumental tracks.

Instrumental tracks tend to heighten our emotions in a way that classical music does. It forces our brains to interpret and understand the wider themes at play when listening to a song.

His love affair with hip hop began in the 80’s ,with GUTS sat in a Bronx apartment sampling thousands of tracks on his Akai MPC midi drum machine and mini sampler.

One of my favorite songs on the ‘Les bienheureux’ album is ‘the living is easy’ recorded using an Akai MPC 4000 midi /sampler. It’s simply superb. If you enjoy your animation  visuals then give this one a watch.

My Second favorite song is ‘Want it back ‘ featuring Patrice, taken off the album HIP HOP AFTER ALL’ – The video is worth the watch too. It speaks of the bigger issues plaguing our children’s future. The kids chorus disarms  with a blunt  message:

STOP SCREWING UP OUR HOME!

Another one of my favorite tracks is ‘Living like pigs’ taken off the 2009 album ‘Freedom’

Damn this  is a fine beat. He samples one simple loop – taken from the 1970’s track ‘The garden of Jane Delawney” by Francoise Hardy

The speech at the intro ( Mr Freedom, 1961,film) always gives me the  chills. It’s  like a wake up call to arouse our humanity.

To begin with, I’m gonna tell you the land of Freedom

is all about,

.No, you’re not dreaming….that land exists, Ladies and Gentlemen, you have been living like pigs… Open your eyes……

MR FREEDOM, 1961

The  words are hard hitting and blends  in with the  soma-like effect melody  threaded through out the song.

The entire song has a hypnotizing effect which I’d interpret as how people in our society easily grow bloated by over consumerism.

To me ,It speaks of the loss of humanity. Its such a simplistic beat yet; it sets off a complex array of emotions.

Here is the original  song that GUTS sampled.

Pretty sweet!