THE R & D PROJECT: The R & D Project

The R & D Project

The R & D Project

© 2005 Don Jung / Robert Thomas Kuhlmann ASCAP (634479022661)

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The R & D Project showcases the variety of songwriting styles by partners Robert Thomas Kuhlmann and Don Jung: from retro-70's classic rock to intimate acoustic performances, even a taste of country.

notes

The R & D Project is the debut release from Manhattan Beach-based songwriters Robert Thomas Kuhlmann and Don Jung.

The album features 10 original songs co-written by the lyricist/songwriter duo, and performed by Kuhlmann with a host of guest musicians. Kuhlmann and Jung produced the album, along with producer/engineer Chris Hastings.

Kuhlmann and Jung have collaborated on dozens of songs since meeting at a South Bay songwriter's workshop several years ago, and The R & D Project showcases the varied influences of their partnership. From up-tempo guitar driven rock and roll to country-tinged ballads, to folk-blues, the album is a reflection of the pair's musical styles and interests.

Both writers share a passion for well-crafted pop songs with a romantic edge, and the CD features a song cycle that resonates with emotion as it traces the timeline of love: from the intoxicating first glance of I Have to Have You, to the questions raised in Will You Still Change With Me; and eventually, the finality of separation in Goodbye, Lover.

The R & D Project is a departure from songwriter/performer Robert Thomas Kuhlmann's previous solo acoustic release, Confidential Reasons (www.cdbaby.com/kuhlmann). Upon its release, the Village View wrote, "Terrific, pop-inflected songs about love, loss and strength. Come hear why he's a voice to listen for in the L.A. acoustic scene." Kuhlmann is a balladeer whose charm comes across in the simple imagery of his songs. Over the years, he has won over audiences through his live performances, and has proven that he is as much at home performing solo on a barren Austin, TX, stage at SXSW, as he is backed by a full band playing club dates with his rock band, the Last American Heroes.

Don Jung has co-written three songs released as singles by alternative artists and is a former staff songwriter for a music publishing company.

reviews

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  • It's the LA vibe with all its palm trees, roller skaters, and OP t-shirts.
    author: Sakol Mongkolkasetarin

    This is the musical equivalent to taking a time machine back to my 70s. I'm talking about the LA vibe with all its palm trees, roller skaters, and OP t-shirts. You just gotta love the orchestration with the wailing guitar action. My favorite song is Wild Las Vegas...very uplifting, physically and spiritually. Just an overall great groove track. Rock on with these tunes while driving down Sunset Boulevard in a '75 Mustang convertible. What can I say, nothing wrong with nostalgia.

  • Loads of Hot Guitar Licks!!!! You just find yourself doing air guitar, man.
    author: Neil Levy

    this cd is great. it's loaded with lots of hot guitar licks, sweet wa-wa action and deep, soulfull lyrics. the kind that really make you think. all said, this a really fun listening experience.

  • Two Thumbs Up
    author: John Acker

    Great CD that will bring joy to your ears if you like Classic Rock. Wonderful guitar that brings back memories of rock bands from the 70's and 80's. I would definitely give this R&D Project CD two thumbs up.

  • varied and intriguing
    author: cywu

    I listened to this cycle quite a bit, let it rest, then came back to it. Like some of my long term favorites I find I hear new things in it over time. I'm most impressed by the variety and the evolution. It evokes different time periods from the last few decades. To me it feels like the soundtrack of a great movie that revives a bunch of great tunes, except the movie isn't made yet. Maybe someone could do it in reverse and make the movie to this soundtrack and have the plot follow the course of the songs. I'd see the movie and buy the soundtrack!

  • rock on!
    author: Syd Schneidman

    Great old time rock and roll. I now live in England and get so tired of all the Eurotrash music. this takes me back to my old roots of the 60's with the famous mantra of sex drugs and rock n' roll!!

  • Just press play
    author: Megan Hall

    Being a huge fan of Stevie Ray Vaughn, the Eagles and blues altogether I am a new fan of the R & D Project. These guys put great guitar work inside a full rock n'roll sound. The words in this album flow and can speak to any music fan. I'm so glad I came upon this jem.

  • author: Patty Civalleri

    Wow! If you are a fan of that driving guitar from the Classic Rock period, then this disk is for you. In the old days, I went to all of the live concert performances of the greats like Springsteen, Dylan and the Eagles. The R&D Project brought it all back to me. Oh, and as a great side bennie, it will make you work during your workouts!

  • Counting Crows meet Dylan?
    author: Richard K

    I'm a ‘die hard’ Counting Crows fan and I believe track 9, Let the Girl Go, sounds a bit ‘crowish’ with a hint of ‘Dylanesque’ vocals. Sounds really good.

  • Strong songwriting, unique vocals, fantastic guitar work
    author: Stace England

    I wasn’t sure what to expect exactly when I got this CD. Kuhlmann’s strong songwriting reputation precedes him and he is well known in Los Angeles song writing circles and so on, does a lot of acoustic shows and has even done SXSW in Austin multiple times. So there’s no doubt the guy’s got some chops and is recognized by his peers. But wow! This is a full electric configuration on many of the songs and they rock in all the right spots. The R&D Project is a relationship song cycle and I can tell you from personal experience this genre is the toughest one to pull off successfully, and the R&D Project does just that. I often compared writing and recording my last record, Lovey Dovey ALL The Time to climbing Everest (it was for me) – Bob and Don seem do it semi-effortlessly (I hate guys like that :). It’s a much better, more consistent record than Lovey Dovey. I give them both high props for attempting it and succeeding. Kuhlmann’s voice is a complex, rich instrument. He’s sounds tough and road weary but utterly vulnerable, frequently at the same time. This will probably sound sexist, but it’s a voice women will love, as they will love these songs and I mean that as a high compliment. His voice can sound Springsteenish at times, but that isn’t quite it either – it’s uniquely Kuhlmann. The band is great and the guitar player, Todd Robinson, is fantastic. There’s extremely nice piano in just the right spots too. My favorite songs are Forgot to Forget About You, Will You Still Change With Me, Goodbye Lover and Let the Girl Go. The R&D Project could easily succeed on commercial radio and I hope it gets that chance.

  • Awesome Music
    author: K. Caldwell

    I enjoyed the eclectic sounds and styles of the different songs as well as the clever lyrics especially on "I Forgot to Forget About You."

  • Quite a labor of love
    author: T. Hensley

    This CD is a pleasant surprise--the songs are varied and have some lyrical content beyond the expected. Well recorded, mixed, played and sung. Listen to the samples--if the style is to your liking, you won't be disappointed with the CD. Wonderfully moody stuff, but not afraid to rock 'n' roll when necessary. Well worth your dime and your time.

  • Excellent, Quality CD
    author: Dave

    This is really a fine record in all kinds of ways and a triumph for the love/relationship song genre. Everyone listening to Dashboard Confessional or any other emo band should buy this CD and hear the real thing, not just teen angst. The road weary vocals are a perfect compliment to the excellent musicianship. Why isn't this stuff on the radio?

  • Awesome!
    author: Boris Seibert

    I love how the lyrics on this CD put your entire "cycle" of a relationship into their song list. Awesome songwriting, great licks, and just a fun CD! If you have ever entered into an exciting relationship and it ended on a really bad "note", you will relate with the songwriting and music on this CD. As all great music does, it brought back a lot of good and bad memories of relationships that I have been in...

  • author: Laural

    The music just keeps getting better! Congratulations on composing an outstanding CD! I like the variety of songs as well as sounds! This is a got to have in my collection!

  • good music-good lyric-what else could you want?
    author: maichael McCarty
  • Unique lyric styling and stunning lead guitar,,,WOW
    author: B Loving

    An eclectic mixture of solid sing-alongs. Haunting vocals, compelling Dylan-like lyrics and spectacular lead guitar. A monumental independent effort.

  • Sensational original guitar work and orchestrations!!!!!!
    author: Chris Ullman

    It's been a long time since I have heard guitar work this good. The variety of songs and the orchestrations were the power driving this multi-dimensional CD. Harkening back to the sounds of The Eagles, The Cars, Bob Dylan, Bob Seeger, and Simon and Garfunkel on ALL originally written songs seems a feat to difficult to pull off, yet it was done here with polish and originality. My favorite cut was "Let the Girl Go". It fit the vocals the best and had a great piano that underlined the feeling. The last cut on the CD "Goodbye Lover" is such a Springsteen anthem, it sounds as though he wrote it and recorded it. Todd Robinson's virtuoso on the guitar was worth the price of admission. It was refreshing to hear fired up guitar solos and licks that are not repetititive, but rather inspired. Throughout the CD he took songs that were good and made them great. I'm looking forward to melting this one down from overplay and eager for the follow-up. BRAVO!!

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