When Us3 first blew onto the scene all the way back in November ’92 with their Herbie Hancock/ Cantaloupe Island-sampling, jazz-rap track Cantaloop featuring rapper Rahsaan it was massive. The rare groove scene was in full swing, vintage Blue Note LPs were being dusted off and re-released, Beastie Boys had released their funk-drenched Check Your Head in April, Souls Of Mischief dropped ’93 Til Infinity in October, the Acid Jazz label was booming, the Mo Wax label was launched and all things late sixties/ early seventies funk, soul and jazz were informing hip-hop. Despite releasing at least seven studio albums after Hand On The Torch (from which Cantaloop was lifted) however, nothing ever again made the impact of Cantaloop itself. Still with 90s fashion in vogue again and the kids seeking out musical authenticity in their parents and grandparents’ vinyl collections, when better to return to the source and drop another big slice of jazz-rap? Say hello to Cool Cat. Sixties-style jazzy organ loops? Check! Rapper? Check – Akil Dasaan at your service. Tongue in cheek lyrics? Check! Does it all add up to a cool as shit groove? Check. The Snap, Crackle & Bop LP follows soon.
(Out now HERE)
