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Paul Hardcastle: Paul Hardcastle VII

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records
Released: 2013.02.19
Time:
 61:07
Category: Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Cool Jazz
Producer(s): Paul Hardcastle
Rating:
Media type: CD
Web address: www.paulhardcastle.com
Appears with:
Purchase date: 2020
Price in €: 1,00





 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] The Truth [Shall Set You Free] (P.Hardcastle) - 11:12
[2] No Stress At All (P.Hardcastle) - 6:00
[3] Summer Love (P.Hardcastle/M.Hardcastle) - 4:55
[4] Crystal Whisper (P.Hardcastle) - 5:43
[5] Easy Street (P.Hardcastle) - 4:05
[6] Dance Of The Wind (P.Hardcastle) - 6:11
[7] Apache Warrior (P.Hardcastle) - 5:44
[8] Stepping On Shadows (P.Hardcastle) - 4:11
[9] Love Is A Power (P.Hardcastle) - 7:45
[10] The Truth [Shall Set You Free Reprise] (P.Hardcastle) - 5:27

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Paul Hardcastle - Keyboards, Programming, Liner Notes, Producer

Maxine Hardcastle - Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Rock Hendricks - Saxophone
Paul Hardcastle, Jr. - Saxophone
Gabriel Mark Hasselbach - Trumpet on [2,7]
Helen Rogers - Vocal Samples

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


CD 2013 Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records - TNR62


Keeping in the spirit of the previous six volumes in the Hardcastle/Paul Hardcastle series, albeit in a more sprawling and dancefloor-minded manner, VII is another album of lush and atmospheric electronic grooves that incorporate touches of R&B and jazz. While the previous volume drew from Kool & the Gang's"Jungle Boogie," Hardcastle builds "No Stress at All" with that band's instrumental classic "Summer Madness" as the foundation; the electronic piano intro is played with a little more lilt to it, joined by inviting horns and a tranquil, wordless vocal. "Summer Love," co-written by and featuring daughter Maxine, wouldn't be out of place on a Hed Kandi compilation or the tail-end of a Hôtel Costes mix. As usual, some of the song titles - namely "Crystal Whisper," "Dance of the Wind," and "Stepping on Shadows" - indicate the album's soothing new-age disposition.

Andy Kellman - All Music Guide



Paul Hardcastle's greatest strength? Consistency. Paul Hardcastle's greatest weakness? Also consistency. Before you applaud or boo Hardcastle you must admit this: the man knows what he does best and he is not about to stop doing it based on what critics say when his global audience tells him that's exactly the way they like it.

There is essentially no difference between Hardcastle's solo and his Jazzmasters releases. The same musicians appear on both. The music is interchangeable as well. Even the album covers have similar generic art of sunsets, waterfalls and dreamy-eyed models deep in reflection.

Is it formulaic? Yes, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. He delivers what his fans want: consistency and professionalism. Hardcastle is still a one-man band weaving smooth jazz and chill with a gutsier version of New Age soundscapes mashed up with electronic beats, airy wordless vocals, bubbling keyboards and silky saxophones riffs. This sort of workmanlike approach goes against the grain of the jazz aficionado, but that's probably not Hardcastle's target demographic anyway.

That doesn't mean Hardcastle is averse to incorporating a few variations on his successful theme. On VII he goes long; as in 11 minutes long on the lead-off "The Truth (Shall Set You Free)" and a few other tracks blow past the six and seven-minute mark. Everything you would expect from Hardcastle is here. The beats, the vocals, the keyboard, the sax and that ever-present mood of dreamily lying in the grass staring up at the clouds as they roll by is here.

Where "The Truth (Shall Set You Free)" goes beyond expectation is it is a song suite without being called one, as it changes in subtle shifts and displays a greater than usual degree of innovation and complexity. Hardcastle layers the instrumentation and vocals with a change-up near the 8:00 minute mark. If it never quite achieves grandiosity, "The Truth (Shall Set You Free)" is proof Hardcastle is willing to push himself from time to time.

Nothing else on VII aspires to that level of ambition, though "No Stress At All" is admittingly inspired by the Kool and the Gang's "Summer Madness" it has some fine moments. The remainer of the album is the usual indistinct soundscapes.

Hardcastle may never have another big hit like "19" or "Rain Forest" in his repertoire, but maybe he doesn't need one as long as he keeps his devoted following happy even as his continued popularity baffles his critics.

Jeff Winbush - May 3, 2013
© 2020 All About Jazz



Paul Hardcastle has unashamedly flown the banner for electronic music since 1984 while encompassing a kaleidoscope of soundscapes from hip-hop, R&B, funk and dance to numerous contemporary jazz recordings under the Jazzmasters, Kiss the Sky and under his own name. One of Hardcastle’s first endeavors was “You’re the One for Me” by underground soul man, D-Train. Pop music culture is most familiar with his early hits such as the techno-thumping, “19,” an emotional tale about the injustices of the Vietnam War. Many of those who were aware of “19” and another Hardcastle ultimate highlight, the electro-funk-invested “Rainforest,” may not be aware of his several soundtracks for U.K. television and remixes for Third World, Barry White and others. Yet contemporary jazz audiences have benefited the most from Hardcastle’s services, including being awarded the Billboard Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year in 2008 and charting at number one on the Smooth Jazz Charts since the early nineties.

The latest in the Paul Hardcastle series, VII, remains true to the chilled out jazz side of this producer/musician. “No Stress at All” feeds off of Kool & The Gang’s Summer Madness, but Hardcastle injects his creamy smooth jazz spin with a sassy saxophone lead and vibraphone dustings. Paul’s daughter Maxine’s sultry lead voice enhances “Summer Love,” that glides on a sweet subtle R&B flavor with its swift percussive framing. The nimble and warm sax work saves “Crystal Whisper” from settling into a new age rut. “Easy Street” lends a bit of the blues feel to the mix and frankly pumps up a little needed liveliness to the already chilled out atmosphere. There is a mild drum n’ bass kick on “Dance of the Wind,” accented with solid saxophone and trumpet leads to carry the load. Unfortunately, the horns lack the spark on “Apache Warrior” thru the mundane beats and “Stepping on Shadows” are completely clouded in keyboard over-bliss. “Love Is A Power” possesses the complete package: the rich and crisp female backgrounds, funky orchestrations and a sensitive sax lead. “The Truth (Shall Set You Free)” opens as a near eleven minutes ambient suite that is a bold move for Hardcastle, delivering a few interesting vocal harmonics and some shifting rhythms in the process. This is clearly the better choice compared to The ‘Reprise’ version that overindulges in grooves.

To really appreciate the full aspect of VII, everything here requires several listens to pick up on Hardcastle’s dense electronic layerings. The musicians he surrounds himself with like saxophonist Rock Hendricks help boost those backdrops. That said, VII soothes and satisfies the ears most of the time, despite the occasional monotonous sound blocks.

Four and a quarter out of five stars.

Peggy Oliver
The Urban Music Scene
 

 L y r i c s


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 M P 3   S a m p l e s


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