US3 - Questions

How is it that something can be fresh yet familiar? It is like your favorite food; you've had it before, but when you get it prepared by a new and different chef with a touch of a different spice, it is pleasingly familiar, yet fresh! Such is the case with "Questions" the latest from Us3 [Toshiba EMI Japan] a band inspired creatively by London-based producer Geoff Wilkinson.

A blend of positive, progressively phunky jazz, neo-soul, a touch of R&B here, a dash of Latin there; "smooth jazz" format cats should dig this to the utmost. Kufu kudos to track six, "Cantaloop 2004: soul mix" which has a Miles Davis horny feel to it. Musk melon, musical melo cantaupenis, indeed! Ditto the "bossa mix."

Us3 is comprised this time by Brooklyn's Reggi Wyns who does much of what the liner notes call "rap;" London (by way of South Afrika)'s Mpho (how do U pronounce dat?) on female vocals; her sound is a little "shy", like a baseball pitcher who is "sneaky-fast," and Geoff Wilkinson himself who's hand has penned every track, and I guess who can play every instrument. I say "this time" 'cause one of the trademarks of Us3 is apparently interchangeable vocal artists.

"It keeps things fresh and exciting for me too," says Geoff, taking us back to that musical gourmet thing again.

"Questions" is the fourth in this concept called "the Us3 sound" which is at the very least, a very listenable mix. Other stalwart standout cuts are the catchy, reminiscent of Loose Ends with a tiny touch of Soul II Soul tune "Get it Together" (track three the message of reassurance in "Believe in Yourself;" the creepy Cheshire cat south of the border in "Whatcha gonna Do?", and a very pleasing instrumental, "The Healer" which is track nine - all fine. What this sound needs is more of a deep bass groove like the former mentioned groups. Then we have sumtin'. [p] "It's important to keep evolving", says Wilkerson, and "Questions" is the product of that process, moving away from sampling music towards creating it with current, alive performers. "It's kinda nice working with some live musicians rather than dead ones!" Wilkerson adds. I concur.[p] _z_dancemusic_z_);

As of this writing, they are currently playing a major European tour and hanging with the Swiss in Zurich, Bigg upps! Hope you come to US! I've heard that this country [U.S.] is often the last to get the "good music." Sans real logical reasons I have heard for that phenomenon, I'll put my bid in for universality of play, tour dates, and the works in this global music economy. That's not too much to ask and there should be more incentive for an act like this to come our way sooner than later so that they can get off the major label merry go round. Later for 'building momentum' everywhere else, we want our best music, like Us3, rite now! I believe in their future, and hope to hear more.