Dave Kulju – Abstract Expression

Dave Kulju’s Abstract Expression in many ways is just that. A guitar virtuoso’s painting by notes. Dave is the master mind behind this exquisite rendering and masquerades using electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar, drum kit, guitar synthesizer, Keyboards and all programming. We have a number of special guest that include Frank Basile on drums Pleiades, Depth of Autumn, Picnic at the Slag Heap and The Main Attraction, Bryan Powers on drums Internal Combustion and Don’t Mind Me, Joel Mahathy on Theremin and guitar solo on Picnic at the Slag Heap, Doug Upton organ solo on Somnium and Ian Cameron on Violin Pleiades. Let’s grab a brush and give this one a try.

Internal Combustion – Well if we were painting this first tune would have burned our canvas to cinders. It comes out combusting in a spontaneously ignitable aura of mass fusion. It pulsates as if it’s ready to explode but the interludes and orchestral keyboards in the middle temper its power. Its wrestling theme is punctuated by some fine drumming by Bryan Powers.

Don’t Mind Me – The mood that is created in this tune is totally abstract. It starts off with a beautiful guitar chord for the first forty seconds or so and follows with a layered guitar effect that becomes grungy and harsh. The piano then takes the led for a short time before Dave comes in over the top in a mild manner before becoming grungy and harsh all over again. A short guitar solo breaks in at just the right time.

Hieland Road – Strap on the back packs and let’s kick this hike into overdrive. The road features a driving led guitar over an acoustic back drop. We are on the edge looking down until midway when we shift to some fine drum programming along with some nice bass work and a sudden ending.

Pleides – Frank Basile’s drums open this tune and do a nice job of cascading throughout the entire tune. We have a small piece of violin thrown in by Ian Cameron along with some precisely placed keyboard work by Dave. The layered guitars dual in and out in a meandering way as if to tell you something is about to happen. At the 3:50 mark Dave’s solo kicks it in high gear before Frank Basile’s drums ratchet us back. You can just feel the thought that went into a tune such as this.

Depth of Autumn – Once again the abstract master is in full effect. Here we start with an acoustic ballad that is manipulated into some type of swing that is transposed into a squawking guitar that over lies the melody. Dave’s guitar finally takes to the forefront and caters to this melodic tune.

Picnic at the Slag Heap – Talk about a mood swing. This tune has the feel of throwing paint at the canvas in pure fusion fashion. The notes are squirrelly in an obtrusive way. It sounds as if it’s getting ready to convulse and does it in a most enjoyable way. Joel Mahathy adds the Theremin and guitar solo to the mix.

The Main Attraction – Just listen to how Dave Kulju and Frank Basile traverse this song. They each take their shots as well as teaming up to create powerful tempo and melody. Peaks and valleys abound.

Somniun – (Latin for The Dream) listen to this song and how it transitions around in a translucent kind of way. It in effect creates a convoluted listening environment perfect for dreaming and at fifteen minutes long gives you plenty of time for imagination. Doug Upton’s organ solo is a nice touch to a fine piece of art.

The Water Discipline – This tune sounds as if the painter ran out of water to mix with his paint. A big orchestral beginning followed up with a sad guitar line. He’s worked hard and has accomplished much and must now be satisfied. The picture is the end.

Observation – This just happens to be one well contrived piece of work by a wonderfully gifted musician as well as composer. I love his sense of timing and theme and how it is appropriately put together. The attention to detail as well as the playing and production are world class and deserving of much attention.