WHAT CAN YOU SAY PAUL DEFINES HIS MUSIC WELL WITH A HINT OF ELECTRO-DANCE ALITLLE SOUL BLEND ALL SOAK IN SENUALITY AND SENSUOUSNESS. MY COLLECTION WILL BE COMPLETE AFTER RECEIVING #5 OF PAUL HARDCASTLE AND JAZZMASTERS.
JUST RECENLY I VISTED MY FAMILY IN SANTA BARBARA PREPARING FOR OUR FAMILY REUNION THE NEXT MORNING I PUT IN JAZZMASTERS 11 VERY LOW SETTING IN THE LIVING ROOM.
OF COURSE NO ONE KNEW THIS WAS A CD. BEFORE I KNEW IT MY BROTHER INLAW GRAD MY SISTER AND SWAG THE FLOOR TO THE MUSIC THEY WERE SO INTO IT..THEN SUDDENLY THE ROOM WENT CALM AS EVERYONE SOAK UP A BEAUTIFUL SOUND THEY ADMIRE FOR THE FIRST TIME. HIS MUSIC DRAWS IN THE PERFECT MOOD ANY WHERE YOU ARE.. I AM READY FOR NUMBER 6 YAAAA_YA

What else can be said about Paul Hardcastle!? The Creative Genius goes on!
Heard this on album KJJZ (102.3FM), and it blew me away!
The Brit goes West Coast Smooth Jazz, and Then some!

I have been a longtime Paul Hardcastle fan. I got the Jazzmaster 1 and 2 and even Hardcastle 1. I am so glad to revisited his music when I got Hardcastle 5...it is really great!!! It is smooth and grooven!!! On the first spin I am in love!!! Thanks Paul your album will have me relaxing and grooving all summer!!! Five stars with no problems! I think it is actually my favorite album of yours!!! Loved your son's song also!

Paul Hardcastle returns with his fifth entitled "Hardcastle" album under his solo moniker and it is a wonderful and yet different sounding album from his previous release, 2005's "Hardcastle 4". That one had a funkier and less atmospheric sound but the fifth entry is different even from that one. Here, the songs in general have a mellower tempo and to my suprise, Helen Rogers who has blessed us for 15+ years is noticably absent from this album. Instead we have other vocalists who I've never heard before but they are still very good on here. Hardcastle never fails to impress but even better is that the final track "Take One" was actually mixed by his son Paul Jr.! Now how about that! We could very well have a musical Hardcastle dynasty in the making! Okay, maybe I'm stretching it a bit but Hardcastle 5 I think is a wonderful new entry and continues the Hardcastle legacy of producing great music for the ages. Perfect for long late night walks across town.

Long time Hardcastle/Jazzmasters fan here, Hardcastle 5 compelled me to write this first review ever on Amazon I liked it so much! The instrumentals are out of this world, Paul never ceases too disapoint this synth addict! Of course all of us PaulMasters addicts love Helen Rogers best; however, I did include Beki's "Closer" when I recompiled my favorites from this album, I guess Paul's work really enhances this vocal track. Paul, if you read this, please keep up this trend with the instrumentals and keyboard work, they are awesome! Loved the keyboard work on "Freedom" from JM 5 immensely also.

Wonderful moody jazz..Paul does it again...I can play this album over and over and I still look forward to the next one on the set.

Really good!

where did miss biggins come from, oh my god does she sound gorgeous on moving on, had no idea the british girls sound so gorgeous, first time buying a hardcastle cd. love listening to this cd, BUY IT FOLKS, If you like gabriela anders you will absouletly love miss biggins on the songs she sings on and fall in love with her ok. TRUST ME.

Great Album , this is my Hardcastle ,always smooth and reach with instruments , I just love this guy.

This just can't be happening, how could this man keep making hit after hit after hit? There is no doubt Hardcastle/Jazzmasters are simply the best ever. If you don't believe me just listen to the music. I'd be willing to put Paul Hardcastle against any (jazz artist) challengers song for song and would guarantee he would win easily. Hardcastle and the Jazzmasters are unbelievable and they do it with the smoothness. I love it.

This is the SIXTEENTH CD by Paul Hardcastle which I have bought for my collection, and I always wonder if each new disk will be as good as the one before it. I needn't worry, though, because he just keeps on getting better! The man is amazing.

I like this one better than any of his others for several reasons: First, the tracks immediately sound like him, which is a good thing. His sound is always the perfect mix of sensuous rhythm, relaxation, hypnotic sounds, dreamy melodies, and chill-out bliss. I love the way it makes me feel.

Also, on most of his other CDs, he's had several tracks that I've really liked, some others I thought were nice, and one or two that I thought didn't quite fit the mood. Not on this one. This time he's done EVEN MORE of what I liked, and evened it out so that nothing jars the mood, or feels out of place. The new singer, Beki Biggins, has a nice smooth sound, especially when Paul's daughter Maxine sings back-up with her. Very nice.

The real revelation, though, is the last track called "Take One" -- a song written and all the instruments played by Paul's 16-year-old son, Paul Jr., who mixed it in his bedroom. I have to say I wasn't expecting much, thinking it would just be a bonus track from an indulgent father -- but I LOVED it! Paul Jr. is definitely following in his father's footsteps, I'm very glad to say. And when Paul Jr.'s OWN CDs start coming out, I'll be buying them too!

While I miss the sultry singing of Helen Rodgers, I enjoyed the sound Ms. Biggins brings to this newest project of Paul Hardcastle. This is destined to be one of my favorite Hardcastle or Jazzmaster recordings although I love them all, for the possible exception of the few rap-infused cuts on some previous albums. Paul Hardcastle is the only recording artist of which I can say I possess every one of his CDs. His blend of smooth, sultry melodies, impeccable keyboard work is truly remarkable. This album is no exception. In some ways, it seems more contemporary than earlier efforts but somehow he has been able to maintain his unique sound and style. So do yourself a favor, get this CD, buy a good bottle of Pinot, light a few candles, relax and let this music take you to a place of pure ecstasy.

He seems to like it. I also bought Hardcasttle 4, but didn't know he already had that, so now we have 2 copies. No problem, he is very fond of Hardcastle.

This is classic Paul Hardcastle at his best. I like it better than the "Jazzmasters Greatest Hits". This would be a great introduction to smooth jazz for music lovers not familiar with it.

I've several Paul Hardcastle CD's and enjoy all of them including Jazzmasters series. This one is great for kicking back with a glass of wine with friends.

Yet another fabulous CD! Haven't stopped playing it since I got it....obviously, I'm a BIG fan! Keep it going Paul!

This is by far the best release of 2008. Hardcastle 5 delivers that classic "Hardcastle" sound once again!!! I went and bought it the other day and I was amazed by all the songs, especially "Don't You Know"(instrumental) and "Keep Movin' On". I basically kept those songs on repeat!!! I also think his son will do well, as a matter of fact, he should replace Chris "Snake" Davis as his saxophonist. I think Paul Jr. and this new singer should make future albums together, with the oversight of his legendary father, of course.

I LOVE THIS CD!!!!! Paul Hardcastle has been one of my favorite smooth jazz performers and I think he has kicked it up a notch with his newest CD. I have several of his CDs and this by far is his best, I think. My favorite song is "Lucky Star". Some of these songs remind me of listening to "Chill Out" music which I find relaxing. His son, Paul Jr. does a great job on "Take 1" which he wrote,played on & mixed. If you're a Paul Hardcastle fan, you won't go wrong buying this CD.

paul hardcastle is satisfaction guaranteed. for me he ist THE genious of keyboards and samples combined with great vocals and solo-instrumentalists. he uses the full range of what's available and is not shy to mix technique with real instruments. a truly great musician !

Hardcastle 5 is nice. I eagerly awaited this CD hoping for some more of Maxine Hardcastle. But i wasn't disappointed. The new lady sounds sweet. I like Paul giving other artists a chance to shine. My favorite is "Marimba" and "Keep Movin On". Nice cuts. I can't wait for The Jazzmasters VI. Where are you Ms. Helen Rogers and Maxine? Excellent purcahse for Hardcastle music lovers.

Paul Hardcastle 5 Is awesome every song is great Beki what a voice she's smooth with her delivery her voice just takes you away.I can't say enough about Paul Hardcastle his thumb is on the pulse of smooth jazz.Every song is a hit and his son Wow! keep up the good work.My question when are going to come to Phoenix in concert.

THIS WAS PURCHASED AS A GIFT, AND THE RECEIVER OF THIS GIFT WAS SO PLEASED - HARDCASTLE ROCKS!!

I first heard this on a long rainy night and wah..that setting describes the mood of this album perfectly.

Hardcastle hits us again with a new Smooth/Synth Jazz work, this time with the help of Beki Biggins who features on the tracks "Don't You Know", "Closer", "Blew My Mind" and "Keep Movin On". This is her debut as a Hardcastle vocalist. She sounds different from the usual jazzmasters veteran Helen Rogers, but still retains that signature style which makes everyone feel good, cool and jazzy. I think she has done a remarkable job here.

I won't go into a lengthy discussion of all the tracks. Suffice to say, the music/sound quality is good; there's a lot of texture here. So try and listen to it on decent audio equipment, otherwise you're not getting the whole thing. Also featured here is Paul Hardcastle Jnr, who wrote the last track "Take One". I was surprised by its excellent quality which is comparable to the rest of the CD. Power!

Overall, the whole album feels like a fantastic lover; it's not too gentle and neither is it too hard. It puts you right where you need to be.

I've been buying Paul's music since the first Jazzmasters release and have yet to be dissappointed.

HARDCASTLE 5 is as true to the unique style that he's been treating us to, as is any of his previous works.

My only beef might be that even as good as the vocals are, I'd prefer 1 or 2 less than the cd offers. But it's a small gripe.

Even Paul Jr shows great promise!!!

Damn Paul! I heard "Lucky Star" on 106.9 and said that sounds like Paul Hardcastle and it was you. Know your sound anywhere, its the best. I love you keep making those tunes and I'm so happy you are on 106.9 beccause I listen all the way from NYC.
MP

PS Everyone should get this album if you're a Hardcastle fan like myself

Didn't think Hardcastle could get any better. The sounds he produces are just amazing. Soft and sweet with a subtle punch once in a while.
robbicee luvs jazz, Rancho Mirage, CA

The best way for me to describe this latest effort from Paul Hardcastle is that it is delightfully monontonous. While this description may appear negative, I do not mean it in a negative light. The fact is that all of Paul Hardcastle's CDs (and Jazzmaster for that matter) sound similar with minor variations from CD to CD. This is no exception. The reason I gave it 5 stars is that all the compositions sound pleasant and the recording quality, particularly the bass frequencies, really shine. Additionally, I find this one much better than his last effort. Any lover of Paul Hardcastle's music will find this CD a great addtition to their collection. I highly recommend it.

The very talented Smooth Jazz artist Paul Hardcastle has released his latest CD titled "Hardcastle 5" and Wow! It's really a good one.
The London born Hardcastle is a producer of electronic pop instrumental records who uses keyboards, drum machines, some regular instruments, often a saxophone lead and occasional singers to create enjoyable music
The album literally grabs your attention right from the beginning with "Lucky Star" and doesn't let go until the very last note of the very last song, which by the way is another great track "Take 1".
It has a nicely varied, mix of 13 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly talented artist.
The CD is a collection of sensual, trippy, hard-to-resist cuts which will make you feel good.
And this is the reason why they are so radio friendly : the single "Lucky Star" has made the top Ten in the Contemporary Jazz chart.
This is a first rate CD, delivering a little something for everyone.
I give it two thumbs up.
It's quite simply great listening.
A must buy for the Smooth Jazz fan.