Paul Hardcastle - Paul Hardcastle Vii - Jazz - CD

Well into this third decade crafting signature songs of our time, churning out chart topping mega-hits with ease, Paul Hardcastle adds another branch to his musical tree, one that is again bearing delicious fruit. VII while it carries all of the hallmarks that have come to define his unique style and sound, takes a decidedly different approach, with the focus on serving up compelling sonic instrumental soundscapes and less about vocals. This is Hardcastles wheelhouse and nobody does it better. Paul brings daughter Maxine and son Paul Hardcastle Jr. along for the ride, providing just the right accents in all the right places. Pull up under the Hardcastle tree, pick yourself a piece and savor the fruits of this fabulous labor.

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 Hￃﾃￂﾴtel 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, Rovi

Performer	Paul Hardcastle
Music genre	Jazz
Music subgenre	CD - JAZZ
Music release type	Release
Media format	CD
Edition	Standard
Has parental advisory label	N
Number of discs	1
Series title	Paul Hardcastle - Paul Hardcastle VII [CD]
Track listing	The Truth (Shall Set You Free), No Stress at All, Summer Love, Crystal Whisper, Easy Street, Dance of the Wind, Apache Warrior, Stepping on Shadows, Love Is a Power, The Truth (Shall Set You Free Reprise)
Record label	Trippin & Rhythm
Target audience	General/trade
Music media format	CD
Is edited	N
Is enhanced	N