Us3
Hand On The Torch (1993)

review by: Michael Walls
Date: 8/1/00

You know that critical moment when you're running out the door, maybe going for a long drive, or going away for a long weekend, and you realize that you need some tunes. And you haven't left enough time to rationalize the whys and whats of the music you think you'll need. You just have to make a split second decision, and hope that you end up with something that'll fit the mood at the time it's played.

Well, for me, Us3 is one of those standby CDs that I know will fit the mood. I would like to mention, as a disclaimer, that I wouldn't grab this CD alone, on a long drive or a long weekend. This CD must be mixed. As in, mixed in with other styles of music. If you accidentally get stuck in a car for three hours with only this CD, it will eventually drive you crazy and you'll end up walking around talking in rhymes.

Us3 is Jazz/Rap music. Do they call it Razz? Not sure. I really don't know much behind this band, beyond what's in the liner notes. Plus, being a white guy originally from New England, I never really had much opportunity to listen to either Jazz or Rap. All I know is that this stuff is fun.

Us3 is a collection of Jazz artists and Rap artists performing over sampled sounds from other great Jazz performers such as Herbie Hancock and Thelonious Monk, all crisply produced and mixed to perfection.

I'll be honest. I never really liked Rap. I'll be more honest. I still really don't like Rap. I'm working on it, but I can't seem to embrace it. But this fusion of Jazz and Rap seems to work well and it sits well with me. I've owned this CD for several years now and I still throw it into the mix now and again. But like I said, be careful. Too much can cause side effects.

"Brace yourself as the beat hits ya. Dip trip. Flip fantasia." Yeah…