Us3

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Seven years of painstaking patience and dedication has led to this, the self-titled debut album from Us3. Widely regarded as the future of R&B, Us3 has worked the underground circuit for years honing their skills and perfecting their craft. Blessed with the total package of looks, sound, and work ethic, Geno, Ian and Trey have their sights set on success. This album showcases the trio's ability while exploring the many emotions associated with love. Us3 is a throwback to days long gone. This 15 song collection of hot up temp grooves and smooth seductive ballads is timeless and will leave you under the spell of Us3.

Us3,Us3,Starving Artist Entertainment,Pop,R&B,Rap

Us3

Tracks:

Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)
I Got It Goin' On
Different Rhythms Different People
It's Like That
Just Another Brother
Cruisin'
I Go To Work
Tukka Yoot's Riddim
Know Ledge Of Self
Lazy Day
Eleven Long Years
Make Tracks
The Darkside

Album Description

Hip-hop/jazzers Us3 have forged the most elaborate union between the styles since the early days of Gang Starr and A Tribe Called Quest. Blue Note's vast catalog gives them a huge advantage over several similar groups in terms of source material. Classic sounds by Art Blakey, Horace Silver and Herbie Hancock provide zest and fiber to their narratives. When words and music mesh, as on "Cantaloop" or "The Darkside," Us3 show how effectively hip-hop and jazz can blend.

US3:
Mel Simpson - keyboards (programming)
Geoff Wilkinson - (samples, scratches, programming)

Customer Reviews:

funky fresh.......2007-04-11

only if you aren't embarrassed by breaking out into spontaneous dance should you get this disc. It's infectious, it's fresh, it's fun.

Support the beginning of jazz-rap.......2005-01-08

No jazz or rap fan should live w/o this. I don't understand why ya'll be hatin' on this album even tho it's good or it's not. I call this a classic 'cuz it shows a new level of the jazz legendaries we grew up around us. That's why a lot of people are dissin' on hip-hop 2day b/c it shows no mercy but lackness. I have love for dem cats right here.

Fav. picks: Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia), I Got it Goin' On, It's Like That, Just Another Brother, Tukka Yoot's Riddim, Knowledge of Self

This is recommended along with all of Guru's Jazzmatazz albums, all Tribe classic albums, Do You Want More??!!?!, Illadelph Halfline and Things Fall Apart by the Roots, Resurrection, 1 Day It'll All Make Sense, and Like Water for Chocolate by Common, The Antidote and The Quiet Revolution by Ronny Jordan, The Rebirth of Cool Series (all volumes, depends which one is better) and especially Heavens by the Martytroyd Trio. Definitely a Must-Have 2 date.

The Reason for Mixed Reviews.......2004-03-02

It appears to me that much of the criticism of this album comes from people who were expecting different. Rap fans who were looking for a great rap album were disappointed. And Jazz fans who despise rap were disappointed. But if you take this album for what it is, a true blend of hip hop and jazz, then you won't be disappointed at all. As jazz fans, you'll enjoy hearing familiar sounds of the samples that groove, and as hip hop fans you will enjoy the soothing flow of the rhyming. This album grooves people.

Very Good! Look at the year!.......2004-01-23

Jumpy, Catchy, Dancy!
Jazz and HipHop, Blues, Swing, Bossa, Dub - it's all there.
Very good beats. Atmospheric and cheering.
Have it!

Stunning........2004-01-04

I don't even listen to much rap. The music I've been listening to as of late, other than US3, are bands like Moe., String Cheese Incident, Neil Young, CSNY, James Brown, Allman Brothers Band, Radiohead, Talking Heads, Grateful Dead, and a lot of singer-songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Jim Croce, Don McLean, and so on and so forth. The point is this: it doesn't matter what you're into, just give this album a shot. I see that there are a lot of used CDs for sale on amazon for a very cheap price. Give US3 a shot and see what you think.

Average customer rating:

Long Time Us3 Fan
Something old and something new
Cantaloop bliss

Flip Fantasia: Hits & Remixes
Us3
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Hand on the Torch
Broadway & 52nd
Questions
An Ordinary Day in an Unusual Place
Cantaloupe Island

ASIN: B00000IWV0
Release Date: 1999-05-18

Tracks:

The Hit Side: Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)
The Hit Side: Tukka Yoot's Riddim
The Hit Side: I Got It Goin' On
The Hit Side: Different Rhyths, Different People
The Hit Side: Come On Everybody (Get Down)
The Hit Side: I'm Thinking About Your Body
The Remix Side: Cantaloop
The Remix Side: Tukka Yoot's Riddim
The Remix Side: Come On Everybody (Get Down)
The Remix Side: I'm Thinking About Your Body

Amazon.com

While many young jazz musicians spent the '80s and '90s looking to the hard-bop past for creative models, Us3--primarily Geoff Wilkinson on samples and scratches and Mel Simpson on keyboards, with both programming--managed to do something different with the same classic records. Their raids on the Blue Note archives put them at the center of the hip-hop/acid-jazz synthesis. They sampled classic funk riffs and solos, even interviews, from Herbie Hancock, Jackie McLean, and Art Blakey, and then overlaid them with rap and live solos by some fine young English musicians like trumpeter Gerard Presencer and saxophonist Ed Jones. This compilation pulls together the most popular tracks from their two CDs, Hand on the Torch and Broadway & 52nd, and then adds remixes of four of them culled from EPs. The remixes extend the creative process, sometimes completely transforming the original material, as with the electronic take on "Come On Everybody," by Q-Burns Abstract Message. This is effective contemporary dance music, but it's also a great rethinking of the jazz tradition. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Long Time Us3 Fan.......2007-02-13

I have been a fan of Us3 since Hand on the Torch came out, and I have to say this cd is an utter dissappointment. The remixes are barely any different than the originals, they sound like they just removed some parts and replaced them with crap. They are generically mixed by generic ears. READ -Nellee Hooper sucks- The best of the worse is "thinking about your body" remix. It at least sounds different than the original. You want something cool from Us3? Get the Korean bonus disc that has the original songs from Hand on the Torch. THAT will make you tap your feet.

Something old and something new.......2006-09-06

Us3 will always be remembered as having achieved one of the most successful fusions between jazz and hip-hop. "Hand on the Torch" was one of the most memorable hip-hop albums. The sequel "Broadway & 52nd" was lukewarm at best. They tried a few more albums but never recaptured the magic of their debut. "Flip Fantasia: Hits & Remixes" covers the first two LPs. In terms of the validity of a compilation, the simple fact is there was already a 'best of' by this band -it's called "Hand on the Torch" and any deletions or additions from other albums can only water down the quality. Hits aside, the real allure to "Flip Fantasia" is the second half of the EP. The remixes do what good remixes should: familiar songs are recycled to once again sound fresh. 'Cantaloop,' 'Come On Everybody' and 'Tukka Yoot's Riddim' are strong remixes. In particular, 'Tukka Yoot's Riddim' features some great improvisation on the timbales. The LP and remixed versions of 'I'm Thinking About Your Body' are the only weak songs on an otherwise strong release. If you adored "Hand on the Torch," then "Flip Fantasia" is worth the five bucks.

Cantaloop bliss.......2003-08-18

One of my favorite Cds mostly because of the first song, Cantaloop, probably the best remix of a classic jazz tune. Groovy and original.
The rest of the album is good but with a bit of too much rap in occasions: Just Anoter Brother, Knowledge of self, .
Good tunes: Different Rhythms, Lazy Day, Cruisin, Eleven Long years, The Darkside.
Overall: very nice album.

Average customer rating:

Say What!?
Us3
Manufacturer: V2
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

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Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000P1KP2M
Release Date: 2007-05-21

Tracks:

Say You Belong to Me
Man on Top
ABC (Listen Up)
Afrodisiac
I Don't Care
VIP (Can You Hear Me Now?)
Truth & Lies
Intoxicated
Day That I Died
How 'Bout It Baby?
If You Don't Know
I'll Be Right Back
Money on My Mind

Album Description

2007 album from the London-based Jazz/Hip Hop fusion band that had a major worldwide hit with 'Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)' in 1994. Features the single 'Say You Belong To Me'. US3.com.

Average customer rating:

terrible
Sad attempt to make Interesting Music

Questions
Us3
Manufacturer: Us3.Com
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Broadway & 52nd
Hand on the Torch
Flip Fantasia: Hits & Remixes
An Ordinary Day in an Unusual Place
Schizophonic

ASIN: B00092ZLIU
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

New Beginning
Whatcha Gonna Do?
Get It Together
What Does That Mean?
Believe in Yourself
Cantaloop 2004 [Soul Mix]
Can U Feel It?
When She's Dancing
Why Not?
Truth
Goodbye
Give Thanks
Healer
Cantaloop 2004 [Bossa Mix][*]

Customer Reviews:

terrible.......2005-07-09

what a piece of poo. if this even the same band??? I can't imagine that anyone involved in the masterpiece "hand on the torch" could put their name of this travesty.

Sad attempt to make Interesting Music.......2005-07-05

I heard a little US3 on my Yahoo LaunchCast and decided to test out the album. I must say I was gravely dissapointed. There is no complexity to their music. It reminds me of something I'd see Bert&Ernie dancing to on Sesame Street. Everytime there was a decent beat is was destroyed by the weak flows of some dude in the group. I love poetry and music that touches me deeply. This sounded like a keyboard-karaoke-garage production. I did not enjoy it one bit and I will never play it again.

Dehvon in Dallas, TX

Average customer rating:

hip hop jazz at its finest
Funky Hip Hip & Cool Jazz = Acid Jazz
audio soul food
Funky Jazz Rap
Grand Groove

Broadway & 52nd
Us3
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Acid Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Hand on the Torch
Questions
Flip Fantasia: Hits & Remixes
An Ordinary Day in an Unusual Place
Hip Hop 'N Jazz

ASIN: B000005GY8
Release Date: 1997-04-08

Tracks:

Intro
Come On Everybody (Get Down)
Caught Up In A Struggle
True To The Game
Snakes
I'm Thinking About Your Body
Grand Groove
Nowadays
Sheep
Doin' A Crime
Recognise And Realise
Time And Space
Soul Brother
Hymn For Her

Album Description

U.K. edition of the new album -- same music asthe U.S., but available 6 weeks earlier. 14 tracks, includ-ing the single 'Come On Everybody (Get Down)'. Other 13:'Intro', 'Caught Up In A Struggle', 'True To The Game','Snakes', 'I'm Thinking About Your Body', 'Grand Groove','Nowadays', 'Sheep', 'Doin' A Crime', 'Recognise AndRealise', 'Time And Space', 'Soul Brother' and 'Hymn ForHer'.

Customer Reviews:

hip hop jazz at its finest.......2006-03-22

Us3 goes way beyond their one commercial hit, Cantaloop. They are a true hip hop jazz band, delighting the senses with rhymes over beats, brass and piano. A winner for fans of hip hop.

Funky Hip Hip & Cool Jazz = Acid Jazz.......2004-06-28

Broadway & 52nd is much better than US3's debut Hand on The torch. Their debut CD got more radio/video play than Broadway & 52nd due to the middle of the road pop appeal of Cantaloop (flip Fantasia). Not a traditional pop song but a very creative twist on jazz. Cantaloop introduce Acid Jazz To the main stream - but it never really caught on, here in the states. Broadway & 52nd takes it to the next level and kicks it up a few notches. Intelligent Hip Hop(rap)Dominates most of the CD, and I would not recommend if your not into Hip Hop. I happend to love jazz and Hip Hop as well so the union of the two is fantasic. But I would recommend if you like cool music to chill out to. That's not your traditional elevator music or the stuff you here on the radio over and over again. This CD is Jazzy, Funky with a lot to Rap about and I like it alot. This CD Had the number one spot in my CD Player for 3 months and was played almost every day. Considering I purchase and listen to Plenty of music, 3 months is a long time. There have only been three other CD's that I played daily for that long or longer, and they are, Lauryn Hill's - The Mis-Education Of Lauryn Hill - Erykah Badu's - Live CD - and Guru's Jazzmatazz A new reality. And if you love any of those 3 CD's then you will definately at least LIKE Broadway & 52nd. Caught up in the struggle and True to the game are my favorites and should of been released as singles. Over all I like US3 and have just purchased their 3rd CD - An ordinary day in an unusual place(import), I hope I like as much as this one.

audio soul food.......2002-01-05

Some of the finest beats and tastiest sampling to come out of the 90s for sure. I have worn out 3 copies of this record personally. KCB has one of the smoothest flows of any rapper today...This record is so dope y'all! It has all the righteous elements of acid jazz with somewhat of a more improvisational approach in the mix. Brimming with a real sense of positivity, I can't wait for the new material. Peace y'all.

Funky Jazz Rap.......2001-07-06

Is it the return of the Cool? The concept of US3 intrigued me right at the start with "Hand On The Torch." Take some riffs from old Blue Note performers...sample some and add fresh in a similar style...then combine with hip-hop rap. The result is something surprisingly new. Some reviewers of the first CD complained about "weak" rap lyrics...but I disagree. I also think the rhythm of the words is more complex here, as compaired to most rap that gets airplay. Perhaps this is because it's jazz-based music? There are numerous songs on that first release that grab you with with catchy hooks. I still like that CD today. So, I anxiously awaited a follow-up.

Okay...here is the sequel. On first listening, my impression was that it was good, but I didn't like it as much. Five listenings later, my opinion changed dramatically! Fewer catchy hooks. But definitely more complicated music. Some songs start with a somewhat bare structure, but after two or three cycles the rhythms have a much stronger hold than most of the first CD. The jazz foundation is as sure as ever. The use of sampled riffs is often truly brilliant. In fact, I found myself thinking that perhaps US3 has successfully given us a glimpse of how exciting this music really was---way back when---when first played in the clubs and recorded on Blue Note Records! That's quite a recommendation!

Not everyone will like this music. If you're a jazz or hip-hop purest, then (either way) this stuff has one foot outside the circle. If, on the other hand, you're interested in how that Blue Note jazz was itself challenging the norms of the time, then you'll more than likely be interested in what their spiritual children (?grandchildren?) have to say about it. Intelligent and truly funky. I think you'll like it.

Grand Groove.......1999-03-01

This album takes a bit more listening in than their previous album, but once you've done that you will find that it pays off! US3 go deeper and dare experiment more on Broadway & 52nd - both in lyrics and music, and I think this is to the benefit of us all. There are less Jamaican influences on this album and more simplistic jazz grooves. This album is one of my absolute favourites and I dare you all to keep still while listening to it. Just listen to the wonderful groove of "Caught up in a Struggle" and "Grand Groove" and the great simplicity of "Snakes", and you will know what I mean.

Average customer rating:

So, so
Smooth jazzy poetic lyricism

Hip Hop 'N Jazz

Manufacturer: CEMA Special Markets
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
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Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)
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ASIN: B000759JA0

Product Description

Smooth jazzy hip hop. 1. Pacifics - Digable Planets 2. Jazz In The Present Tense - The Solsonics 3. Sunshine & The Rain - Joi 4. Tukka Yoot's Riddim - Us3 5. Gonna Catch You - Lonnie Gordon 6. Down The Backstreets - Jazzmatazz 7. Cantaloop - Us3 8. Jimmi Diggin Cats - Digable Planets 9. Loungin' - Jazzmatazz 10. Blood Brother - The Solsonics

Customer Reviews:

So, so.......2007-04-03

I was a bit disappointed with this. It simply lacked uniqueness. I already have Jazzmatazz albums so really the only other song on here with flavor is Joi. The rest of the records are rather unmemorable.

Smooth jazzy poetic lyricism.......2005-05-01

This is the best compilation of this type of music that I have ever heard. I loved Digable Planet's fresh jazzy sound when I was in college even though I knew nothing about jazz back then. Since I have discovered classic jazz in recent years, I appreciate the uniqueness of this sound even more. This album is so cool that it makes you want to nod your head and smile all the way through it. If you have ever been to a late night open mic poetry session and grooved to the mellow vibe of lyrics set to background jazz and rhythmic drum beats, then you know what I am talking about. It's the mood of peace signs, incense, and lava lamps and its all good.