Michael Kazalski’s folkish forays take a turn into the dark world of pirate folklore with ‘Flying Dutchman’. Kazalski’s soft arrangements and emphasis on his weapon of choice, the bass, make the song a stylish one that immediately stands out.
Kazalski, based in Portsmouth, Virginia, is a musician, mainly a composer and a bass player. His single ‘Flying Dutchman’ showcases the best of the man’s multiple gifts. With an elegant, melodic composition, a story-centered vocal part that sounds cozy and gripping, and a distinctive and rich arrangement, Kazalski gives us the classical story of the Flying Dutchman, introducing interesting twists both lyrically and musically.
What stands out most about ‘Flying Dutchman’ is not explicitly the dynamic and balanced bass parts that Kazalski is most comfortable with. Instead, it is a lush and gentle brass section that’s at once charismatic and present, yet soft and embracing, mainly because of the emphasis on tenor saxophones and trombones that are more accessible than blaring trumpets or saxophones that scream on a higher register. Kazalski’s arrangement is colorful, featuring dynamic moving parts and a wealth of counterpoint that play beautifully alongside the vivid melodic structures of the song.
All in all, Michael Kazalski’s intro to pirate folklore takes the shape of a soft, forgiving pop folk ballad that is sweetly colored and artfully balanced.
