Hu-manilectro.  That’s what JD Shultz calls his art, his music, and his contribution to making his world, and OUR world, a better place.  This multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer and songwriter has created something that is wholly unlike the super vanilla soft alternative that pours out of speakers all over the world.

Shultz coined the term Hu-manilectro to put a name to the smooth melodies and rhythmic beats that are currently pleasing the ears of anyone fortunate enough to be able to listen to them.  A refreshing blend of electronica, alternative, soul and pure talent, the album Vision Days on the Life Ride starts with the track “Floor on Fire” and it is immediately intriguing.  The sound is crystal clear and extremely clean.  From the opening notes of this album, it’s an attention grabber with the power to make people stop everything they’re doing and really listen.  There are very few artists who can combine so many different and diverse elements into such a pleasing blend of perfection.

The sound is smooth, the vibe is funky, and JD Shultz adds his own unique flair to each song to make it all his own.  The track “You Are Everything” is a perfect example of this.  It has a bit of a hip hop beat, coupled with darkly seductive lyrics and what is quickly becoming known as Shultz’s own Hu-Manilectro.  He gives it his own twist by adding an Egyptian-sounding guitar riff every now and then.  Most artists would never be able to pull this off in the context of this song, but Shultz can.

“The Lucky Ones” has more of a rock flavor with a contagious guitar riff and Shultz keeps the soul coming with a slick bass line.  His vocals in this piece are what really carry it and the lyrics are haunting.  Shultz makes them even more so by adding several layers of vocals and changing up the delivery.  The guitar work in this song is stellar and “The Lucky Ones” embodies much of what Human Brother is all about.

“Drown” takes Shultz’s music to another level.  This is a more aggressive song that has cutting edge lyrics and sounds that seem to defy conventional music of every genre.  Human Brother continues to amaze and astound as we are taken on a ride of epic musical proportions.  Spectral, astral, and with a vibe that positively screams of sensuality, “Drown” is by far the best cut on the album yet.

The music of Human Brother can not readily be classified into any specific genre because it contains so many various aspects of so many diverse influences.  The track “Torture and Grace,” for example, is nightclub material through and through.  While most of the songs on the album have an electronic touch to them, this particular track vamps it up to the extreme and it should be played in dance clubs around the globe.  In addition to this, there is a bit of an underlying jazz feel to it that would make it equally appealing to listen to at a high end jazz club that specializes in smooth flowing music that makes patrons want to drink fine wine while tapping their feet and swaying in their seats ever so slightly.  With the track “Torture and Grace,” Human Brother shows that this is universal music that can be enjoyed by just about everyone.

Closing the album is “Live at Shlembley Stadium” and it’s an excellent choice to end with.  It begins slow and then packs a punch.  Human Brother sounds just as polished live as they do on the studio tracks and this song has the slightest bit Cure influence in it, evident in the opening guitar riffs.  JD Shultz graces us with his unique vocals and “Live at Shlembley Stadium” leaves one with the sensation that Human Brother has only just begun.  The possibilities are endless and Hu-manilectro music is on the rise.

JD Shultz has proven that he is a master of his craft with the album Vision Days on the Life Ride.  Combining influences from every genre known to the music world, Human Brother cannot be neatly packaged and contained into a single category.  It is as unique and diverse as the term Hu-manilectro.  If this is any indication of what is to come, the world is about to experience a whole new way of looking at music.

Review by Rhonda Readence

admin Reviews, Rhonda Readence Human Brother, Vision Days on the Life Ride