Paul Hardcastle started out making propulsive electro-dance music in the '80s and subsequently became a smooth-jazz practitioner on his JAZZMASTERS albums. HARDCASTLE 5 splits the difference between the two, presenting a loungey, chill-out side of Hardcastle's sound that's a mixture of ambient, acid jazz, downtempo, and pop. The mostly instrumental tracks on 5 bear the smoothness and light, jazzy touches of Hardcastle's JAZZMASTERS releases, but with a distinct link to the more electronic side of his musical personality.