Neuhuman - "s/t"(800lb Gorilla Records)
Neuhuman - "s/t"
(800lb Gorilla Records)
The concept of NeuHuman is a simple one…Evolution and the Propagation of Human Potential. Conceived by Albert Azar in May of 2008 as a means of testing his musicianship and exploring the bounds of his own Imagination, NeuHuman was recorded in the spirit of taking single ideas and thoughts, and developing them into unique and stimulating pieces of music. The result is a conceptual album that delves deep into the heart of the current American situation. A genre melding deluge
flowing with ambience, dirty break beats, jazz, deep groove, and sonic alchemy taking the listener
through an electronic journey which is somehow mysteriously grounded in natural elements. Azar
masterfully exposes his obvious influences ranging from Pink Floyd, Brian Eno, Gorillaz, Herbie Hancock,
Radiohead, Massive Attack, and Boards of Canada (just to name a few), and skillfully compresses them
to form an original style which is uniquely his own.
Albert Azar is a multi-instrumentalist and producer who got his start playing keyboards for the band “Z”,
whose unique brand of jazz influenced space rock kept him busy recording and touring the east coast
throughout 2001-2004. When Z split due to creative differences in 2004, he joined forces with ex
Robots in Disguise mastermind John Plunkett to form the dark electronic group Mantenna which
featured the virtuosity of Dion Paci on Guitar. Mantenna’s love for improvisation and multi-stimulus
approach (often playing shows behind movie screens with multiple projectors) led the band to a
successful slew of residencies in downtown Philadelphia throughout 2004-2005. In 2006 Albert moved
to Las Vegas, and after nearly 2 years in the void, he began to develop the concepts and ideals which
were to become NeuHuman.
Some noteworthy tracks on NeuHuman include the melancholy angst of “On the Fritz” which indirectly
seems to pay homage to do-it-yourself pioneer Trent Reznor, the scissor laden tortured love song
“Scissorhands” and the hypnotic plotting soundscape of “Generational Curse” which sounds as if Pink
Floyd had collaborated with an “Endtroducing” era Dj Shadow. Other standout tracks off the album
include the smooth flowing outer space science of “Moonlight on Another World” and the Dream like
dark soul of “Get Out Alive!”