Press Release :
Us3's fifth album Schizophonic sees producer Geoff Wilkinson's rolling cast of rappers and musicians returning to the task of fitting the pieces of the jazz and hip-hop puzzle into one kaleidoscopic whole.

Building on the group's mammoth 50-date/14-country European tour last year, the sound of Schizophonic is a lively, raucous and uptempo affair with a heavy emphasis on live playing married to crunchy hip-hop beats. The album features two new rappers, Akil Dasan and Gaston, both of whom Geoff found at New York's legendary underground hangout the Nuyorican Poets Café.

All members of the Us3 live band are also featured, including the blistering trumpet of Chris Storr, the soaring sax stylings of Ed Jones, the funky muscle of double bass player 'Level' Neville Malcolm, and the unique turntable mastery of DJ First Rate. Mike Gorman, Sean Hargreaves and John Crawford take turns at the pianists chair, while (60 year-old!) newcomer Ernie Cranenburgh lays down some truly beautiful jazz guitar.

Schizophonic bounces from the Brazilian samba school sampling 'Kick This', to the lyrical hip-hop sarcasm of 'Huff & Puff?, through the 60s soul-jazz vibe of 'Girls U Like', to the furious jazz drums & Monk-like piano of 'Get Busy'. Gaston recounts a desperate tale of child abuse in 'Don't Even Ask' complimented by the delicate brushes, moody piano and brooding horns. And if you came to dance flip to the 21st century bossa groove of 'Much 2 Much'. It's hip hop. It's jazz. It's Schizophonic.

A limited edition 6-track 12' sampler will be serviced to clubs prior to the album release.

The 8-piece Us3 live band will be touring again extensively throughout 2006. A summer festival tour is being put together now, and a European club tour is scheduled for October/November.'