The Jazzmasters

A prolific electronic producer and keyboardist from London, Paul Hardcastle has enjoyed over three decades of popularity with his varied dance-, R&B-, and jazz-influenced albums. Although often associated with the smooth jazz genre, Hardcastle's synth-based style is more akin to instrumental dance music and electro-R&B with the occasional vocal and saxophone flourishes. Initially emerging with his breakthrough single "19" off 1985's Hardcastle, he gained wider success with the launch of his crossover Jazzmasters album in 1993, which hit number one on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart. Over the years, he has continued to diversify his offerings, issuing regular volumes across several series including Top 20-charting albums like 2002's Hardcastle 3, 2013's The Chill Lounge, Vol. 2, and 2014's Movin & Groovin.

Various Artists - Last Of The Garage Punk Unknowns, Volumes 3 & 4 (2015) {Crypt Records CRYPT111 rec 1965-1967}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 368 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 180 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 68 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1965-67, 2015 Crypt Records | CRYPT 111
Rock / Garage Rock / Psychedelic

32 prime slabs of mid-60s USA garage punk aceness from LPs 3 & 4 with liner notes, band photos, label scans. (NOTE: This is an entirely NEW series and NONE of these tracks were on the old series “GARAGE PUNK UNKNOWNS”). Fantastic album. If you have even a remote interest in garage punk, you'll want this album. Excellent example of mid sixties garage punk. Thanks Tim Warren Crypt Records for releasing yet another solid lineup of gems.

Slide Hampton - Dedicated To Diz (1993) {Telarc Jazz CD-83323}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 437 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 174 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 7 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1993 Telarc Jazz | CD-83323
Jazz / Bop / Swing Revival / Modern Big Band / Trombone

This was recorded during the Jazz Master’s first performances at the Village Vanguard in NYC in 1993. The critics universally acclaimed the performances and listening to the record it is easy to understand why. This band entirely catches the spirit of what Dizzy Gillespie was all about, but without any attempt to copy. Dizzy, who was one of the great innovators of the jazz world, would have appreciated this approach, he never rested on his laurels, he continued to push forward the musical frontiers the whole time.

A producer and keyboardist from London, Paul Hardcastle debuted as a solo artist in 1984 and scored the following year with "19," an electro-oriented record featuring news reports and other sources on Vietnam. It became a major hit in his native country; in the U.S., it topped Billboard's club chart. Later, he produced and did remixes for artists such as Ian Dury and Phil Lynott. He continued to sell well in the specialty dance market and occasionally released records as part of the duo Kiss the Sky (with Jaki Graham) while also operating under names like the Def Boys, Beeps International, and Jazzmasters.

A producer and keyboardist from London, Paul Hardcastle debuted as a solo artist in 1984 and scored the following year with "19," an electro-oriented record featuring news reports and other sources on Vietnam. It became a major hit in his native country; in the U.S., it topped Billboard's club chart. Later, he produced and did remixes for artists such as Ian Dury and Phil Lynott. He continued to sell well in the specialty dance market and occasionally released records as part of the duo Kiss the Sky (with Jaki Graham) while also operating under names like the Def Boys, Beeps International, and Jazzmasters.

Bestselling Smooth Jazz - Kool&Klean - Volume VIII is a venture to groovy, romantic, fresh and sexy world. Wherever you are and whatever you do, this music will always be a good companion. Prove it to yourself and become a part of Koolness.

A prolific electronic producer and keyboardist from London, Paul Hardcastle has enjoyed over three decades of popularity with his varied dance-, R&B-, and jazz-influenced albums. Although often associated with the smooth jazz genre, Hardcastle's synth-based style is more akin to instrumental dance music and electro-R&B with the occasional vocal and saxophone flourishes. Initially emerging with his breakthrough single "19" off 1985's Hardcastle, he gained wider success with the launch of his crossover Jazzmasters album in 1993, which hit number one on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart. Over the years, he has continued to diversify his offerings, issuing regular volumes across several series including Top 20-charting albums like 2002's Hardcastle 3, 2013's The Chill Lounge, Vol. 2, and 2014's Movin & Groovin. He reached the contemporary jazz Top Ten with 2018's Hardcastle 8 and 2020's Hardcastle 9 before releasing 2022's Hardcastle 10. Hardcastle 10 arrived in February 2022.

Because Paul Hardcastle has had great commercial success with his "Jazzmasters" projects, he occasionally gets linked to jazz. In reality, 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 dance music. The emphasis on repetition and long melody statements fits securely into lower-level acid jazz, although it lacks any real spontaneity. This double-CD has rare tracks (formerly out only in Europe), a few hits, lots of cover tunes of pop songs and plenty of previously unreleased pieces that should be of interest to Paul Hardcastle collectors.