Human Element

Human Element is a fusion group led by keyboardist and vocalist Scott Kinsey, known for work with Tribal Tech. The line-up on its self-titled debut consists of Kinsey, electric bassist Matthew Garrison, percussionist, vocalist and effects player Arto Tunçboyaciyan, and drummer Gary Novak, with John McLaughlin appearing as a special guest on guitar. The group presents itself as a four-piece band rather than a studio project with rotating personnel.

Style and influences

The music combines fusion, funk and Armenian folk elements, with additional Middle Eastern and Gnawan influences. It is described as part of a line of pan-global jazz-fusion bands associated with Weather Report and the Joe Zawinul Syndicate. The material spans energetic ensemble pieces, funk-oriented tracks, ballads and quieter passages, and is intended to sound unified despite covering a wide musical range.

Members and connections

Scott Kinsey also works as a mixer and mastered the record in his home studio. Matthew Garrison is associated with the Zawinul Syndicate, John McLaughlin’s Heart of Things and Herbie Hancock. Arto Tunçboyaciyan has played with Al Di Meola’s World Sinfonia, Joe Zawinul and Marc Johnson’s Right Brain Patrol. Gary Novak is known from Chick Corea’s Elektric Band. Seto, Tunçboyaciyan’s son, contributes spoken-word passages on one track.

Debut album

The self-titled debut is recorded at Gary Novak’s Kronos Studio in Burbank and issued on Abstract Logix. It includes the title track, “Bottom of the Mirror,” “Essouaria,” “Crazy Girl,” “Shake It,” “Hi Lao,” “Izzy,” “Cut,” “See With Your Ear,” “Onno” and “Think About It.” “Hi Lao” features John McLaughlin, “Onno” is an ode to Tunçboyaciyan’s late brother, and “Think About It” addresses the Armenian genocide.

Background and aim

The project develops as a band identity built from shared writing and collective input on arrangements. Kinsey describes the group as drawing from the language of Joe Zawinul while aiming for its own character, and the band positions itself for the international festival circuit with an emphasis on fusion and world-music audiences.