Customer Reviews

Hardcastle 4

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

On his latest album, "Hardcastle 4," Paul Hardcastle introduces some new, surprise elements into his unbeatable style of smooth jazz---some new keyboard sounds, some new arrangements, and the lovely singing voice of his lovely young daughter, Maxine, who is featured on three tracks, which she co-wrote with her father. It's a new dawn for Paul Hardcastle with this one! Fabulous, groovy tunes, such as the captivating "Serene" and "Freefall," "Straight Ahead" and the beautifully aquatic feel of "Journey Of The Lost Tribes." And Maxine's collaborations with her dad are all terrific: "Smooth Jazz Is Bumpin" (finally, a smooth-jazz anthem!), "Was It Love" and "Where Are You Now." Maxine has a very cute, breathy, almost pixie-ish kind of voice, and she also shows excellent songwriting talent, too. I buy all of Paul Hardcastle's new CD's without ever previewing them first because I know I'm going to get something good, and so far, Paul is still batting 100 with me. "Hardcastle 4" is outstanding and catchy with a capital C. Well done, Paul & Maxine. Keep the great music comin'!

Paul Hardcastle's latest CD is by far his best project to date. My favorite track is "Serene". I enjoy listening to it while I am driving. I was also impressed by his daughter's superb singing and songwriting. I eagerly look forward to more great music by Mr. Hardcastle and I would like to see his daughter collaborate with his other vocalist, Helen Rogers on a future project. It would definitely be worth listening to.

If you're a Hardcastle fan (and I am), you'll love this one. It's very typical, melodic stuff (just a little too repetitive. One Hardcastle cut will have at least two others that sound like it on the same CD). Still, his daughter is a very refreshing addition. The young lady can sing! She replaces Helen Rogers (at least on this CD), but it doesn't hurt the sound AT ALL. Both women are awesome. It's good cruising music, and Hardcastle remains at the top of his game.

The one who could arguably be the maestro of the Smooth Jazz genre these days is back and not only that but finally, Paul Hardcastle does a major turn and goes down a very experimental road with new sounds, new keyboard effects and new styles that almost completely leave his more New Age-like older albums behind. Could this perhaps be the beginning of a new Hardcastle? Perhaps or perhaps not but one things for certain, "Hardcastle 4" is a welcome new turn in Paul's music. I was very pleasantly surprised at the new sounds that dominate this new album of his.

A major new surprise however is his daughter Maxine taking the vocal podium this time around on three tracks on this CD. While they do sometimes have a bit of a adolescent lyrical tone to them, the three tracks "Smooth Jazz is Bumpin", "Was It Love" and "Where Are You Now" are awesome with a Capital A! "Smooth Jazz is Bumpin" is a wonderful and awesome song with Maxine as vocalist and for a teenager, she can SING! I never thought I could say this for an under-20 year old singer but Maxine has finally done it! Britney, Janet, Christina, Take note of this! While it's too early to tell, I could say that "Smooth Jazz Is Bumpin" is one of the most innovative smooth jazz anthems that I've heard in years! "Was It Love" is another wonderful groovy song that is a future Hardcastle classic!

Even on the non-vocal tracks, Paul Hardcastle 4 is a big departure from his 2002 "Hardcastle 3". "Serene" and "Freefall" are examples of a wonderful departure from his trademark sound and less of the New Age sounds of songs like "Zen Warrior" or "First Light" from the third Hardcastle outing. Some of the New Age sounds are occasionally heard on this album. If you're familiar with "Jazzmasters 4" you will notice that track 8, "Eastern Winds" is a reworking and perhaps a replacement of "Voice of The Angels". The songs begin with the familiar growling voices in the beginning. But "Eastern Winds" to me anyways is much superior and longer than the latter. "Voice of The Angels" sometimes suffers from being way too short at just over 3 minutes but "Eastern Winds" is longer and allows for more enjoyment of the track. Overall, this is arguably my favorite non-vocal track on this entire album. The song has a beautiful, twilight mood and a beautiful melody backed by the wonderful rhythm. The `final' track "Journey Of The Lost Tribes" is the most un-Hardcastle like song that Paul has ever composed and the greatest departure from his older music. The song has a strong tribal atmosphere and almost evokes images of going through a tropical jungle on a misty afternoon.

That said this album, like a previous reviewer said, does get stymied by being a little on the short side. Sometimes the tracks fade out too soon just as I'm enjoying them and it gives a sense of a plateau but still overall, this album is just wonderful and makes me wonder of this is the dawning of a new Paul Hardcastle! If you were expecting more of the same New Age sound of his old stuff, THINK AGAIN! If you were looking for another "First Light", or another "The Only One", or even another "Joker's Wild (Smooth Jazz Mix)" THINK AGAIN! This is a new sound altogether! For those who were yearning for something new altogether and tired of his trademark sound, you are going to love this CD! I guarantee it! Highly recommended!

I just pick up Paul Hardcastles latest project over the weekend. The CD is generally a good cd. Some new sounds plus some Hardcastle signature stuff. His daughter is a really good singer as well. If you like Paul's past projects, you will like this one.

A longtime Paul Hardcastle fan, I've always eagerly awaited each new release. As expected, Hardcastle 4 is a welcome addition to my library. I was curious about track 12, "Journey Of The Lost Tribes" which sounded very familiar. It took me a while but I finally found the exact same track on his 1998 release "First Light, as track 7 with the title "Forest Dawn". There is no mention in the liner of this track being previously released under a different title. Even so, I would recommend this collection to any fan of smooth jazz and look forward to many more to come.

Whatever Paul Hardcastle is doing recently, I'd say keep it up!! I started on Paul's stuff somewhat in reverse, buying "Cover to Cover" and "Jazzmasters Greatest Hits" first before getting any of his other albums.

I loved Paul's older dance material, some of his remakes on Cover to Cover and the biggest of his Smooth Jazz tracks such as Lost Summer and Feel the Breeze.

However, I couldn't really get into his older albums as much. Yet, starting with Jazzmasters 4, Paul seems to have toned down his tracks into a softer, more melodic sound which I found more appealing. Jazzmasters 4 was the first album where I felt I liked the majority of the tracks.

Hardcastle 4 follows along the same vein. The sounds are a little softer, a little lighter sound which I find quite appealing. My favorites are "Serene" and "Eastern Winds". The vocal tracks are not bad though I have never been the biggest fan of Paul's vocal tracks (with a few exceptions).

I think Hardcastle Fans will like this and will buy it with no problem. People who have not listened to Paul Hardcastle, should take a spin to see if they are missing something. :)

P.S. Wow, did not know that Paul's daughter was only 19. From the picture in the album, I thought she was in her mid 20's. Bonus points for being one good looking gal. :D

For all you Hardcastle fans- go get it. It will be worth your time. I've got all his US releases and this one does not dissapoint. And what a proud father he must be. His daughter's voice is a great compliment to his work. Very nice mix of good up-tempo songs with the mellow stuff reminds me of his earlier work.
My only gripe- the songs end!

Well, well, well. What can I say about this album. I think it is Paul's best album yet. I have all except two of his almums, and that's because I found several tracks that were on other albums. I think only JazzMasters 3 and 4 come close to this current album. I like the fact that every track is something sounding new. And who is that "New Voice" on the album? She sounds great. I love this album and all of his work that I have so far, he has a different sound from all the Smooth Jazz artists. As soon as his record comes on, you know that its Hardcastle. In my book only the group "Four Play" can give him a run for the money. Just buy this Album, and if you have never heard Paul Hardcastle before, Paul Hardcastle 4 will make you a Disciple because there are no bad tracks on this album.

What can I say that has not already been said over here. I am a true Paul Hardcastle fan. I have everything he has ever created. I still go back and listen to some of his old tunes like "Rainforest", "King Tut", and "Forest Fire". Anyways, Hardcastle 4 is a great addition to the other 3. Hands down, the Hardcastle series does not deserve less than a "5 Star" rating. Anything less, you don't know what good Jazz is. If you really appreciate good Jazz, you must go buy this CD now. You won't regret it.
Keep it up Paul!! :)