Biography of Us3

Perhaps the finest of the hip-hop/jazz ensembles, US3, emerged as a hit act in 1994. Their adaption of Herbie Hancocks's "Cantaloupe Island" into the single "Cantaloop" became a hit, and the group's 1993 Hand On The Torch album made the pop, R&B and rap hit lists. They were also unusual in that they weren't a rap ensemble integrating jazz samples into their compositions, but a band with saxophonists Steve Williamson and Ed Jones, trumpeter Gerald Presencer, keyboardists Mel Simpson and Matthew Cooper, trombonist Dennis Rollins, and special guest guitarist Tony Remy interacting live with rappers Kobie Powell, Rahsaan, Tukka Yoot and DJ Geoff Wilkinson. The album got so much response Blue Note later issued a companion CD highlighting the original tracks from which they sampled the backing material. ~ Ron Wynn