The name "Us3" will likely trigger your memory as it brought you one of the most memorable songs of the year in 1994 with the release of “Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)” which sampled Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island” track. The song’s infectious rhythm and club meets café coolness catapulted the band’s debut album on the Blue Note label Hand On The Torch to multi-million sales status around the world, giving Blue Note its first US Platinum disc ever.
Us3 is the brainchild of London-based producer Geoff Wilkinson who formed the group in 1992, alongside production partner Mel Simpson. The worldwide success of Us3 took everyone by surprise, and proved a point to Geoff. “I always thought there was a huge potential audience for jazz amongst younger people, and I wanted Us3 to be a point of access for them. By sampling classic jazz tracks, mixing them with beats and raps, and having younger jazz cats playing on top, I was acknowledging the past, staying rooted in the present, and looking forward to the future, all at the same time.”
After several world tours with the Us3 band, Mel left for pastures new, and in 1996 Geoff set about making the follow-up. “It was always my intention to change the vocalists with each Us3 album,” says Geoff, “it keeps things fresh and exciting for me as well.” New York rappers KCB and Shabaam Sahdeeq came in to replace Rahsaan Kelly, Kobie Powell & Tukka Yoot, and the resulting 1997 album was Broadway & 52nd, also released on Blue Note.
Us3’s third album An Ordinary Day In An Unusual Place was meant to be released on Sony. The Blue Note samples were ditched and in came two new vocalists, rapper Michelob and vocalist Alison Crockett. Before the album’s release a major personnel upheaval at the label left Us3 in limbo. “It wasn’t a great time and left a sour taste,” admits Geoff. “It took nearly two years of legal argument before I got back the rights to my own album.”
Eventually the third Us3 album An Ordinary Day in an Unusual Place was released in 2001 by Toshiba EMI in Japan and Universal in Europe. It was available as import-only in the States. The album itself represented a quantum leap in the Us3 sound. Alison’s vocals oozed soul and musically Geoff had successfully incorporated elements of drum’n’bass, Latin, and Indian music into the mix. “I’ve always had a very wide ranging taste in music and this was my chance to show it,” explains Geoff.
More label upheavals convinced Geoff to release the fourth and new Us3 album Questions via his own label and license it for distribution in various territories while still remaining with Toshiba EMI in Japan. This time Geoff has ditched the samples completely and made an album heavily influenced by both his love of Latin music and the nu-soul movement. Brooklyn rapper Reggi Wyns and London-based (South Africa-born) female singer Mpho Skeef are the featured vocalists, bringing the Us3 sound right up to date.
“It’s important to keep evolving,” says Geoff. “There’s been a decreasing reliance on samples with each Us3 album, and Questions is the culmination of that. And it was kinda nice working with some live musicians rather than dead ones!”
All in all, Questions is an eclectic mix of cultures, genres and attitudes – which is maybe the answer, not the question.
A closer look at Us3’s new featured vocalists and the tracks on Questions:
Reggi Reggi Wyns was born and bred in Brooklyn, New York and is a multifaceted artist. His recording credits include two independent albums with highly acclaimed New York rap crew LIB. Reggi is also an accomplished actor. His credits include a co-starring role in Fox Searchlight's 2002 film Brown Sugar, the 2001 Miramax film Serendipity, and a guest appearance on NBC's Law And Order: SVU.
Mpho Mpho is a vocalist and songwriter from South Africa who has been influenced by a wide range of artists, from Abbey Lincoln and Joni Mitchell to the psychedelic funk of Sly Stone and Rick James. Mpho has joined forces with some greats; including the legendary South African singer Miriam Makeba, jazz pianist Bheki Mseleku, British urban sensation Ms. Dynamite, and West London broken beat collective Bugz In The Attic. Mpho’s subtle tones express phenomenal diversity, from hip-hop and funk to jazz and folk, while her writing offers commentary on issues ranging from global and social to personal.
Mpho’s contributions “Whatcha Gonna Do?” and “When She’s Dancing” both have a contemporary R&B sound with a distinct Latin influence, peppered with South American percussion and the montuno piano riffs of Neil Angilley. “Believe In Yourself” is an uplifting track featuring both Mpho and Reggi, with Us3 band member Mike Gorman on piano. Reggi asks some pertinent questions on the moody bass-led groove of “What Does That Mean?” DJ First Rate puts in the cuts on the turntables and guitarist Dave Okumu (Jade Fox) lays down some angular funky chords.
“Can U Feel It?” sees Ed Jones provide the funky flute over what can only be described as a Latin-influenced acid hip-hop groove. Mpho returns to the uplifting vibe with “Get It Together,” whilst the Us3 horn section of saxophonist Ed Jones and trumpeter Chris Storr keep it sweet and mellow in the back. “The Truth” continues the angular funk approach with Ed and Chris once again providing sharp horn punctuations underneath Mpho’s haunting vocals.
Finally, “The Healer” is dedicated to Geoff’s baby daughter Asa who overcame a life threatening illness. This Fela Kuti-inspired track features the funky Us3 horn section of Ed and Chris, joined by the Nigerian guitarist Femi Temowo, who also plays a very George Benson-esque guitar and scat solo.
The album also features two fresh remakes of the worldwide hit “Cantaloop.” The Soul Mix is a slower, more moody soulful version of the original and the chorus boasts a new mellow horn riff, the piano sample on the original has been replaced by a warmer Fender Rhodes sound. An exclusive “Bossa Mix” is also included as a special treat.
