Us3 is a jazz rap trio that debuted in 1993 with their album Hand On The Torch, which was the first Blue Note Records release to achieve gold and platinum status. The album features samples from various jazz legends, such as Herbie Hancock, Art Blakey, and Horace Silver, mixed with hip hop beats and rhymes by rappers Rahsaan Kelly and Kobie Powell. The album also includes instrumental tracks and guest appearances by saxophonist Steve Williamson and vocalist Alison Crockett.
The album's most famous track is "Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)", which samples Herbie Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island" and features a catchy chorus by Crockett. The song was a hit in both the US and the UK, reaching number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. The song also appeared in several movies and TV shows, such as Space Jam, The Office, and Friends.
Other notable tracks on the album are "I Got It Goin' On", which samples Art Blakey's "A Night In Tunisia", "Tukka Yoot's Riddim", which samples Horace Silver's "Song For My Father", and "The Darkside", which samples Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight". The album showcases Us3's ability to blend jazz and rap in a creative and accessible way, while paying homage to their musical influences.
Hand On The Torch is widely regarded as a classic jazz rap album, and one of the best examples of the genre. It has been praised by critics and fans alike for its originality, production, and lyricism. It has also influenced many other artists who have experimented with jazz rap, such as A Tribe Called Quest, Guru, Digable Planets, and The Roots.
If you are looking for a rar file of this album, you can find it on various online platforms, such as YouTube[^1^], Discogs[^2^], or Bringing Real Rap Back Blogspot[^3^]. However, we recommend that you support the artists by buying their music legally from official sources.
Us3 did not achieve the same level of success with their subsequent albums, as they faced some challenges with their label, lineup changes, and changing musical trends. However, they have continued to release music independently, and have explored different styles and genres, such as soul, funk, Latin, and drum and bass. Their latest album, Stop. Think. Run, was released in 2011.
Us3's legacy as pioneers of jazz rap remains intact, and their music has been sampled and covered by many artists, such as Black Eyed Peas, Nas, Kendrick Lamar, and Joss Stone. They have also performed at various festivals and venues around the world, and have collaborated with other musicians, such as Kool Moe Dee, Maceo Parker, and The Roots.
Us3's Hand On The Torch is a landmark album that deserves to be celebrated and appreciated by music lovers of all generations. It is a testament to the power and beauty of jazz rap, and a tribute to the jazz legends who inspired it.
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