’12:47’ is a gentle, brooding, and jazzy cut that offers the talented songwriter’s take on traditional 12-bar blues in his always distinctive and colorful style.
The Portsmouth, Virginia-based bassist first, songwriter second Michael Kazalski is no stranger to sonic experimentation, with each of his songs being completely distinctly colored. ’12:47’ was inspired by a dream sequence Michael Kazalski experienced, resulting in him deconstructing the traditional 12-bar, making it all smokey and jazzy and adding a wealth of characterful and masterful trombone lines, resulting in a composition that is formidable in its efficiency, cohesion, and impact.
Once more, Michael Kazalski comes across as an ace songwriter who is a master of song building and with a sharp ear for pacing and motion. ’12:47’ is by far the longest piece we’ve had so far for Kazalski, running at a little more than 6 minutes. But with the litany of tasteful solos, a carefully crafted song structure, and a generally gorgeous arrangement and composition, Kazalski’s ’12:47’ never felt repetitive and I never grew tired of its gentle rhythms and artful, jazzy organ chord stabs and solos, as well as the fantastic work done by the trombones on this rather groovy and brooding number from Kazalski’s fine catalog.
I can easily say that I’ve grown rather fond of Michael Kazalski’s songwriting, balanced, artful, and exquisitely mature. A gifted musician and a fantastic bass player, I’ll always be on the lookout for more music from Mr. Kazalski.
