Although part of a number of prior independent projects, Peterborough, Ontario-born Michael Kulas first materialized on the scene in 1995 with the arrival of his solo debut album, Mosquito, on 1A Records. It was here, while handling vocals, guitars, piano, E-Bow, and bass on the LP himself, the enlistment of visiting mutual friend Saul Davies for drumming and production duties proved to be one of the most auspicious moves of his career. A longtime member of the British band James, Davies admired Kulas' work enough to recommend him a year later to work on the band's lead singer Tim Booth's solo LP, Booth & the Bad Angel, which quite unexpectedly shot off a series of even more fortuitous events: James added Kulas to their roster, initially on a trial period, to offer vocal and percussion duties for the band's Whiplash tour in the spring of 1997; Brian Eno, meanwhile, having witnessed the sonics he provided, reportedly suggested that the band should do anything to not let him go; advice taken, James inaugurated him as a fully pledged member when his contract expired 12 months later. It was a circuitous route, but Kulas' voice ended up lending a fuller, often more domestic edge to the British band, with contributions most clearly felt in B-sides like "Pocketful of Lemons" and in LP's like 1999's brash Millionaires. In 2001, just months before the release of James' 11th album, Pleased to Meet You, Kulas produced a second solo LP, Another Small Machine, for those he called "friends and family." ~ Dean Carlson