Last updated: 4 hours ago
Us3 is the brainchild of London-based producer Geoff Wilkinson. Formed in 1992, with partner Mel Simpson, Us3 were signed to legendary jazz label Blue Note and given access to sample anything from their back catalog. The album “Hand on the Torch” became a global phenomenon and sold over 2.5M copies. “Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)” was a worldwide hit.
After several tours Mel left and in 1997 “Broadway & 52nd” saw NY rappers KCB and Shabaam Sahdeeq feature, with the Blue Note samples becoming more embedded in the groove.
Having left Blue Note, “An Ordinary Day In An Unusual Place” (2001) used less samples with more live instrumentation. “Questions” (2004) ditched the samples completely, adding a greater Neo-Soul influence. “Schizophonic” (2006) returned to a more live hip hop jazz sound featuring NY rappers Akil Dasan and Gaston, who stayed for “Say What!?” (2007). “stop. think. run” saw rappers Brook Yung and Sene inject a tougher hip hop style with explosive live jazz. In 2011, “Lie, Cheat & Steal” was a kaleidoscope of sounds from latin grooves to afrobeat.
2013 marked the 20th anniversary of “Hand On The Torch”, and Geoff made a new album “The Third Way” subtitled “Hand On The Torch Vol II”. This time, interpolations of some classic jazz standards are woven in. Akil, KCB, and Tukka all returned. This was the 9th Us3 album, providing a 20 year legacy of fusing hip hop and jazz.
In 2025 Us3 are poised to return with a brand new all instrumental album entitled "Soundtrack".
After several tours Mel left and in 1997 “Broadway & 52nd” saw NY rappers KCB and Shabaam Sahdeeq feature, with the Blue Note samples becoming more embedded in the groove.
Having left Blue Note, “An Ordinary Day In An Unusual Place” (2001) used less samples with more live instrumentation. “Questions” (2004) ditched the samples completely, adding a greater Neo-Soul influence. “Schizophonic” (2006) returned to a more live hip hop jazz sound featuring NY rappers Akil Dasan and Gaston, who stayed for “Say What!?” (2007). “stop. think. run” saw rappers Brook Yung and Sene inject a tougher hip hop style with explosive live jazz. In 2011, “Lie, Cheat & Steal” was a kaleidoscope of sounds from latin grooves to afrobeat.
2013 marked the 20th anniversary of “Hand On The Torch”, and Geoff made a new album “The Third Way” subtitled “Hand On The Torch Vol II”. This time, interpolations of some classic jazz standards are woven in. Akil, KCB, and Tukka all returned. This was the 9th Us3 album, providing a 20 year legacy of fusing hip hop and jazz.
In 2025 Us3 are poised to return with a brand new all instrumental album entitled "Soundtrack".
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