Biography

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 & given access to sample anything from their back catalog. “Hand on the Torch” became a global phenomenon & sold over 2.5M copies. “Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)” was a worldwide hit. After several tours Mel left, & in 1997 “Broadway & 52nd” saw NY rappers KCB & Shabaam Sahdeeq replace Rahsaan, Kobie & Tukka, 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 adding a greater Neo-Soul influence. “Schizophonic” (2006) returned to a more vibey hip hop jazz sound featuring NY rappers Akil Dasan & Gaston, who stayed for “Say What!?” (2007). “stop. think. run” saw rappers Brook Yung & Sene fusing a tougher hip hop sound with explosive live jazz instrumentation. RapReviews.com voted it 7th best hip hop album of 2009. "Lie, Cheat & Steal" (2011) is a kaleidoscope of sounds from latin grooves to funky afrobeat & blues. 2013 marked the 20th anniversary of “Hand On The Torch”, & Geoff made a new album “The Third Way” subtitled “Hand On The Torch Vol II”. Although there are no samples, interpolations of some jazz standards are woven in. Akil, KCB, & Tukka all returned. This was the final (& 9th) Us3 album, leaving behind a 20 year legacy of fusing hip hop & jazz.