The rap and horn styles of Us3
This year Ilosaari Rock put Us3 in the line-up, a base that first won acclaim in the United States through Blue Note Records in the 90s, but that has also been invited to perform around the world. After seeing their gig, it’s not hard to understand why: the group’s jazz samples and live horns coupled with the lead rappers’ self confidence in their skills brought their music to life in the true spirit of performance for an attentive crowd at the III stage.
On Saturday night over ten group members were featured on the stage, ranging from singers, rappers, two trumpet players, a saxophonist, an upright bass player, a keyboard player, DJ, to the man on the drum machine.
Geoff Wilkinson, the soul and leading personality of the band, controlled the drum machine and brought the stage alive in conjunction with the power of the orchestra. 21-year-old Parisian singer Adeline, having recently joined the group in some singles on their new album, added a flare to the performance with her beautiful, diverse singing and flirtatious interaction with the rappers. Rappers Gaston and Akil Dasan brought their true selves out on stage as Dasan showed he was quite satisfied to rap and bust a few moves on the floor now and again. DJ First Rate had his moment to shine while stratching with one turntable behind his head, reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix on the guitar.
Wilkinson and the orchestra’s cooperation took the tent’s atmosphere to its ultimate height, which was particularly intense and alive as Us3 brought us back 14 years with their Cantaloop Flip Fantasia hit. Despite the fact that the size of the crowd was without a doubt much smaller due to Anthony B performing at the same time, Us3 definitely pleased their crowd with excellent songs from their whole discography.
Text: Tatu Teräväinen
Translation: Matti Erpestad