by Stephen Thomas ErlewineBy the time Paul Hardcastle and vocalist Helen Rodgers released Jazzmasters III in the summer of 1999, their blend of fusion, jazz, pop, new age, and worldbeat had become well known in contemporary jazz. At this stage in their career, most smooth jazz musicians become complacent, and it's to Hardcastle's credit that he pushes forward. Not that Jazzmasters III will sound different or unusual to any fan of the first two albums: it still has the signature Jazzmaster sound. Nevertheless, there are subtle differences, such as the instrumentals getting spacier and the vocal numbers being strong showcases for Rodgers. As such, this is the richest and arguably best Jazzmasters yet.