One of 1993’s most intriguing musical experiments, the UK-based Us3 was formed three years earlier by Geoff Wilkinson and Mel Simpson. Wilkinson was best known for his jazz DJ work, and met Simpson at his own Flame studio, where they discovered mutually inclusive tastes. Together they struck upon the idea of sampling some of their favourite old jazz tunes and mixing them in with their own material. The resultant ‘The Band Played The Boogie’ was released in 1991 on Coldcut’s Ninja Tune Records imprint, credited to NW1 and featuring the rapping of Born 2B, and created a critical buzz. By hook or by crook the record came to the attention of executives at jazz label Blue Note Records, who quickly deduced that the sample of Grant Green’s ‘Sookie Sookie’ was lifted directly from their own catalogue. The miscreants were summoned, but then Capitol Records took the wholly laudable and progressive step of working out a deal whereby the duo could enjoy unlimited access to the Blue Note label archives. The result was an album of richly textured jazz and hip-hop, with guests including rappers Tukka Yoot (b. Jamaica), Kobie Powell and Rahsaan Kelly (all three of whom would secure deals with Capitol in the wake of the album’s success), and jazzmen Gerard Presencer, Dennis Rollins, Tony Rémy and Steve Williamson. The album, which was preceded by the singles, ‘Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)’ (US number 9) and ‘Riddim’, proved a worldwide hit, selling particularly strongly in the USA. The foresight of the copyright holders at Blue Note was amply rewarded too: following the release of Hand On The Torch interest in the Blue Note back catalogue escalated and sales doubled. Even Herbie Hancock, on whose ‘Cantaloupe Island’ the single ‘Cantaloop’ was loosely based, expressed his appreciation for their efforts. It would be used on the soundtrack to the Super Mario Bros movie, and Barry Levinson’s Jimmy Hollywood. They were also enlisted for Stephen Spielberg’s Flintstones.
In the wake of Us3’s success, especially in the US and Europe, Wilkinson was asked by Toshiba/EMI to A&R a compilation of new London jazz musicians. In 1994 Us3 released a remix album, and embarked on collaborative material with the Ragga Twins (famed for their contributions to Shut Up And Dance). Following the departure of Simpson, Wilkinson kept the Us3 project going on a number of subsequent instalments. 1997’s Broadway & 52nd, featuring New York City rappers KCB and Shabaam Sahdeeq, was the final album to feature Blue Note samples. Wilkinson signed a new recording contract with Sony and recruited vocalist Alison Crockett and rapper Michelob to help record a third collection, but record company politics delayed the completion of the album. The diverse styles featured on An Ordinary Day In An Unusual Place demonstrated Wilkinson’s ongoing musical development. The 2003 follow-up Questions eschewed samples completely, opting for a smooth Latin soul groove featuring vocal contributions from female singer Mpho Skeef (b. South Africa) and rapper Reggi Wyns. The album was released in Japan before being distributed internationally.
