Hand on the Torch

Infobox Album |
Name = Hand on the Torch
Type = Album
Artist = Us3


Released = November 16, 1993
Genre = Jazz/Hip-Hop
Length = 57:35
Label = Blue Note
Producer = Mel Simpson, Geoff Wilkinson
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:ljkxlfgegcqo]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|2|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/us3/albums/album/283686/review/5943096/hand_on_the_torch link]
Last album =
This album = "Hand on the Torch"
(1993)
Next album = Broadway & 52nd
(1997)

"Hand on the Torch" was the debut album for the jazz-rap group Us3. It received much attention because of its mix of jazz and rap, using live jazz musicians. All samples used on the album are from old Blue Note classics: the most famous being Herbie Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island", used on the track "Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)".

In 2003 "The Ultimate Hand on the Torch" was released, including many of the songs used as sampling material on "Hand on the Torch".

Tracks

#"Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)" (Kelly/Simpson/Wilkinson/Hancock)
#"I Got it Goin' On" (Powell/Kelly/Simpson/Wilkinson/Wilson)
#"Different Rhythms Different People" (Simpson/Wilkinson)
#"It's Like That" (Powell/Simpson/Wilkinson/Parker/Rollins)
#"Just Another Brother" (Powell/Simpson/Wilkinson/Hubbard)
#"Cruisin'" (Kelly/Simpson/Wilkinson)
#"I Go To Work" (Powell/Simpson/Wilkinson/Monk)
#"Tukka Yoot's Riddim" (Taylor/Simpson/Wilkinson/Covay/Cropper)
#"Knowledge of Self" (Kelly/Simpson/Wilkinson)
#"Lazy Day" (Powell/Simpson/Wilkinson/Sample)
#"Eleven Long Years" (Taylor/Simpson/Wilkinson/Silver/Hancock)
#"Make Tracks" (Powell/Simpson/Wilkinson/Silver/Pearson)
#"The Darkside" (Kelly/Simpson/Wilkinson/Mizell)

ampling

"Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)" features samples from "Cantaloupe Island" as performed by Herbie Hancock, and the introduction from "A Night in Birdland, Vol. 1" by Art Blakey Quintet.

"I Got It Goin' On" features a sample from "Ronnie's Bonnie" as performed by Reuben Wilson.

"It's Like That" features samples from "Alfie's Theme" as performed by Big John Patton and "Cool Blues" as performed by Lou Donaldson.

"Different Rhythms Different People" features vocal samples from "Art Blakey's Comment On Ritual" and "At The Cafe Bohemia, Vol. 2" by The Jazz Messengers.

"Just Another Brother" features samples from "Crisis" as performed by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.

"I Go To Work" features samples from "Straight No Chaser" as performed by Thelonius Monk.

"Tukka Yoot's Riddim" features samples from "Sookie Sookie" as performed by Grant Green.

"Lazy Day" features a sample from "Goin' Down South" as performed by Bobbie Hutcherson.

"Eleven Long Years" features samples from "Song For My Father" as performed by Horace Silver and "Blind Man, Blind Man" as performed by Herbie Hancock.

"Make Tracks" features samples from "Filthy McNasty" as performed by Horace Silver and "Jeannine" as performed by Donald Byrd.

"The Darkside" features a sample from "Steppin' Into Tomorrow" as performed by Donald Byrd.

Musicians

Rap - Rahsaan and Kobie Powell (guest Tukka Yoot on "Tukka Yoot's Riddim")
Trumpet - Gerard Presencer
Trombone - Dennis Rollins
Tenor Sax - Mike Smith
Soprano and Tenor Sax - Ed Jones
Guitar - Tony Remy
Piano - Matt Cooper