Road Rangers Taylor, MI
Contact: jheb22@yahoo.com
Web: facebook.com/soulhustlersound
Players: Jim Hebler, vocals; Jake Smith, guitar; Gordon Spencer, bass; Sean Morse, keyboards; Jenny Molina, vocals; John Slitti, percussion; Jim Sparks, drums
Soul Hustler is a band that is comprised of some of the leading musicians in the Midwest, and the Detroit area, specifically. Their mix of danceable and groove-laden originals and classic rock covers are well curated and sequenced. And their collective knowledge of merging audience—engaging entertainment, with well executed improvisation and artistry—was on full display.
The band resume boasts rock, jazz, blues, and world beat sensibilities, and those elements were all put to use during their extended power set. Erupting out of the proverbial gate, with a righteous take on U2’s anthemic “Vertigo,” let the crowd know from the get go that it was on! Lead vocalist Jim Hebler was like a cosmic carnival barker as he greeted the masses in song, with “Hello, Hello!” The sonic one-two punch of guitarist Jake Smith and bassist Gordon Spencer provided a lock-step wall of sound that stated the band’s no-nonsense intent.
They followed that with a relentless groove that did not move in David Bowie’s “Fame.” Hebler and vocal counterpart Jenny Molina were enveloped in seamless harmony as the uniform syncopation of Jim Sparks’ in-the-pocket drumming and John Slitti’s incendiary percussion provided a solid foundation.
There were some notable shifts in focus where the band turned to their original catalog. It truly rose to the occasion here as a sly commentary on society’s fascination with fame, the airing of political grievances and poses the question of who really is in control of the airwaves. Interestingly, Molina and Hebler almost have a Re Styles meets Fee Waybill thing going on as to how they interact in a call and response manner ala The Tubes.
Another strong song is something new for the group that they debuted entitled “She’s Got Style.” It was a nice slice of adult themed alternative pop/rock that provided an emphatic perspective on female empowerment. This really shed a spotlight on the band aesthetic where they could be loose and fun while still delivering a heartfelt and timely message.
They rounded out the night with a tight litany of back-to-back Pretenders’ classics, flawlessly fronted by Molina, as well as select Rolling Stones, Hendrix, and Tom Petty gems.
Jim Hebler has been at the helm of Soul Hustler, with the express purpose of, not just merely to entertain, but to raise awareness for, and support various charities when called upon, such as Gleaners Food Bank, Coats for Kids and, for this particular performance, various Detroit-area animal rescues. They’ve raised over $110,000 for those in need over the past decade.
The band’s upcoming new EP, tentatively titled Ali at 38, will drop in conjunction with future charity events in 2026.
