Kaleidoscope is the ninth full-length album from pianist/composer Michael Logozar. Most of Logozar’s music is very calming and peaceful, but this album is especially so. By using a piece of very thin cotton flannel between the hammers and strings of his Shigeru Kawai grand piano, Logozar was able to create a much softer sound by lessening the percussive effect of the hammers hitting the strings directly. I really like Michael’s descriptive comment: “It’s a cozy album, and I like to think of it as my Shigeru in its cozy flannel pajamas :) .” Another interesting result of the slight muting is that the pedal “whoosh” is more apparent than it usually is, and I always think of that as hearing the piano breathing. (Logozar also used felt between the hammers and strings on his earlier release, Passage, but that was a somewhat heavier fabric, creating a different effect.) It is worth mentioning that all fifteen of the tracks on Kaleidoscope are under four minutes because Logozar was intentionally creating simpler, shorter pieces and vignettes. I have enjoyed all of Michael Logozar’s albums, but this is one of my favorites!

Kaleidoscope begins with “Sundrops,” a very warm and peaceful opener that is more ambient than melodic, setting the relaxed, tranquil tone of the album. “Afterglow” is even more gentle and subtle - a sweet lullaby for any age or a musical portrait of perfect contentment. Living close to the ocean, I have seen the many moods of the tides, and “Rolling Tides” depicts the surf at its most serene. “The First Bloom” captures the magical moment of discovering the first flower blossom opening after a long, cold winter. “Continuum” picks up the tempo a bit to create a quietly swirling energy that I really like - a favorite! “Silver Light” is so delicate that it feels almost fragile. “Sunset Ride” moves at an easy gait that could be on horseback, taking the time to enjoy the surroundings while watching colors change in the sky - also a favorite. “In the Distance” has a slightly melancholy feeling that could reflect something that is just out of reach or a place too far away to go. “Marionette” is a bit more dramatic. Almost a minor key waltz, but not quite, it expresses the loose movement of a doll on strings and the sad feelings they often evoke. “The Last Leaf” seems to speak to the solitude of that last leaf to fall in autumn, swaying gently in a breeze until finally letting go. The title track moves and pauses, moves and pauses, often in contrary motion as it creates each new pattern. I don’t think piano music can get any more peaceful than “On Still Water.” Very minimal and quiet, and yet very expressive. “Every Dream” has a graceful and beautiful poignance and brings this excellent album to a close.

Kaleidoscope is a wonder of subtlety and calm and is a peaceful respite from the intensity of the world around us. Thank you for that, Michael Logozar! The album is available from Amazon, iTunes and CD Baby.