"...contemporary instrumental music, incorporating elements of jazz, funk, and hip-hop…”
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Guri Assis Brasil Announces Debut Solo Album "Animal Invisível" – A Genre-Blending Instrumental Journey Born from Pandemic Isolation
Brazilian Multi-Instrumentalist Delivers Nine-Track Album Fusing 70s Brazilian Grooves, Jazz, and Psychedelic Rock
São Paulo, Brazil – Multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer Guri Assis Brasil announces the release of his debut solo album as Animal Invisível (NUB072), an instrumental project that transforms pandemic uncertainty into rhythmic power and groove. The album will roll out through a series of digital singles beginning December 11, with the full digital release on April 17, 2025, and physical album available July 17, 2025.
Born on the Brazil-Uruguay border and bringing the cultural richness of that region to his music, Guri has built an impressive career collaborating with Brazilian music icons including Otto, Céu, Criolo, and the late Luiz Melodia. He's contributed guitar work to landmark albums like Gal Costa's Pele do Futuro and Orquestra Frevo do Mundo, Vol. 1 featuring Caetano Veloso and Duda Beat.
Animal Invisível began taking shape during the pandemic, with its title inspired by the invisible threat that put the world on pause. But rather than dwelling in darkness, Guri transmutes that uncertainty into strength through nine tracks that feel like an epic jam session, guided by groove and rhythmic intensity.
"When I played the first chords of 'Que Delícia é Viver,' the first feeling I had was simply joy," says Guri. "This album is about finding that light, that power in the music, even when the world feels uncertain."
The album showcases Guri's versatility, blending influences from 1970s Brazilian instrumental music that married samba and American funk to jazz, alternative rock, and modern French electronic acts like Air. His guitar serves as the convergence point for layers of sound featuring Hammond organ, horn sections, psychedelic synths, and even vocoder experiments.
Recorded remotely between 2020 and 2023 with an exceptional lineup of musicians—including Pupillo, founding drummer of Nação Zumbi, and acclaimed trombonist Antonio Neves—the album captures both the isolation and creative connection of its time. Tracks range from the dancefloor energy of "Estriquinada" (a Brazilian boogie inspired by Marcos Valle and Lincoln Olivetti) to the harmonically complex "Dendê" featuring string quartet arrangements.
A Live Session directed by Rafael Rocha (Noize Record) will accompany the album release, featuring musicians from the recording in action.
COVID-19 COULD NOT STOP ANIMAL INVISÍVEL!
This debut album began to take shape during the pandemic, with a title inspired by the “invisible threat” that put the world on alert. The record evokes a time of uncertainty and introspection. However, the compositions transcend the pandemic context, taking the listener on a deep and expansive musical journey where rhythmic power and groove act as guides. Here, the threat is transmuted into strength.
To bring these tracks to life, Guri assembled an exceptional lineup of musicians, resulting in an album that feels like a powerful Jam Session, full of nuances. Guri’s guitar serves as the point of convergence for layers of sound where, at times, percussion, a pulsing bass line, a vibrant horn section, or psychedelic elements from keyboards and synths come to the forefront. Although instrumental, the album also features vocoder experiments on some tracks.
Release Schedule
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December 11, 2024 – "Didi" (Digital Single)
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February 5, 2025 – "Dendê" (Digital Single)
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March 5, 2025 – "Que Delícia É Viver" (Digital Single)
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April 17, 2025 – Full Digital Album Release
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July 17, 2025 – Physical Album Release
Press Quotes
Animal Invisível presents the single "Dendê"
"The new track deepens the project's aesthetic proposition by exploring Brazilian instrumental tradition through a contemporary lens."
“A sound both rooted and forward-looking.”
“Blends Afro-Brazilian grooves, samba textures, and experimental instrumental arrangements.”
“Emphasizing the diversity and vitality of Brazil’s independent music scene.”
Folha de Pernambuco "Que Delícia É Viver"
"With a luminous atmosphere and a danceable pulse, the composition reveals a particularly Brazilian face of the project... balancing festive lightness and musical refinement — a quality present throughout the entire album."
"I always say this song could be the soundtrack to a late afternoon at Leme or Arpoador: cold beer, a samba circle, conversation with friends. Antônio brought exactly that atmosphere through the horn arrangements."
Minuto Indie - Que Delícia É Viver
"Sunny and danceable, the track blends elements of Rio samba, São Paulo samba, and contemporary instrumental music."
Gio Cecchini - Que Delícia É Viver
"The track reveals a sunnier, more distinctly Brazilian side of the project, standing out for its combination of elements from Rio samba, São Paulo samba, and contemporary instrumental music — without sacrificing aesthetic sophistication."
"Animal Invisível transforms ideas born during isolation into an instrumental project that reaffirms the versatility of Guri Assis Brasil."
"The track offers a breath of lightness and celebration without sacrificing the aesthetic sophistication that runs throughout the album."
"Sonically, ANIMAL INVISÍVEL engages with contemporary instrumental music, incorporating elements of jazz, funk, and hip-hop, alongside strong grooves and synthesizer references associated with the sound of the 1980s."
