Jazz Articles about Jazzmasters

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Jazzmasters: Jazzmasters VI

by Jeff Winbush
August 4, 2010

To understand why Paul Hardcastle's latest Jazzmasters album is such a tedious drag it's first necessary to understand that the multi-instrumentalist has taken an unfortunate interest in a subdivision of smooth jazz, called Chill.Chill relies on ambient sounds, airy vocals, quietly tinkling keyboards, and the occasional alto sax bubbling away in the mix. It's so smoothed-out and laidback that it's nearly comatose. Chill is less ambitious than smooth jazz but not quite as lightweight as New Age. Take ...