In the tradition of Weather Report and the Joe Zawinul Syndicate, two powerhouse pan-global bands that have greatly influenced generations of musicians around the world, Human Element is staking out a new corner of the musical map on its self-titled debut. Comprised of keyboardist Scott Kinsey (Tribal Tech), electric bassist Matthew Garrison (Zawinul Syndicate, John McLaughlin’s Heart of Things), percussionist-vocalist Arto Tuncboyacian (Al Di Meola’s World Sinfonia, Joe Zawinul) and drummer Gary Novak (Chick Corea’s Elektric Band), Human Element incorporates elements of fusion, funk and Armenian folk tunes into a potent 21st century brew that defies easy categorization. Human Element travels from intense offerings like the 5/8 title track and “Bottom of the Mirror” to the Gnawan music influenced groover “Essouaria” and funky jams like “Crazy Girl” and “Shake It.” Tuncboyacian’s “Hi Lao” (featuring a cameo by guitar hero John McLaughlin) injects a Middle Eastern flavor into the proceedings while Garrison’s two tracks, “Izzy” and Cut,” showcase his remarkable facility on the bass.