Vinyl - Us3 - Snap, Crackle & Bop!

Legendary jazz and hip-hop fusionists Us3 serve up a refreshingly tasty treat with their much-anticipated 11th album, Snap, Crackle & Bop!. True to the genre-bending spirit that has defined the group for decades, the new album finds Us3 mastermind and producer Geoff Wilkinson once again bringing jazz, hip-hop, and an eclectic array of global influences together—while continuing to evolve the sound that made Us3 an international phenomenon.

After an extended absence, Wilkinson found himself on a journey through burnout, personal reinvention, and creative rediscovery—ultimately leading to a longing to get back to the good times. That journey brought him to MC Akil Dasan, who became the album's sole vocalist—a first for Us3.

“When I decided to make another Us3 album after such a long time, I knew the first guy I was going to reach out to was Akil,” says Wilkinson. “When he came over to record in London, I intended to feature two vocalists on the album, but we got such a lot of great tracks recorded with Akil that I decided I had everything I needed from just him. The variation in his work, his ability to ride on different rhythms, and his open-minded attitude were all major positives for me. He's a great guy and I love working with him.”

Joining Akil and Wilkinson is a trio of Us3 regulars. The result is an album that feels both familiar and fresh—a musical road trip that moves effortlessly through jazz, hip-hop, Afrobeats, Amapiano, Latin, Caribbean, and other global influences. The core lineup includes:

• Geoff Wilkinson: Production and mixing
• MC Akil Dasan: Vocals
• Ed Jones: Sax and flute
• Bryan Corbett: Trumpet and valve trombone
• Mike Gorman: Keyboards

Having released three prior singles—“Cool Cat”, “I Like To Party”, and “Have A Great Day”—fans can expect an irresistible mix seasoned with the unmistakable Us3 groove.

• “Have A Great Day”: A percussive Latin groove provides the backdrop for one of the album's most optimistic moments, with Akil championing positive thinking and encouraging listeners to celebrate individuality.
• “Catch A Vibe”: Captures Wilkinson's anything-goes approach to production. Beginning with a pulsing jazz foundation, the track moves through funky hip-hop, dark and moody trap, rolling Amapiano, and pounding Reggaeton rhythms before circling back to jazz.
• “One Step Ahead” & “You Got Me Open”: Caribbean flavors and steel drums meet trap-inspired beats, synths, and piano—creating a distinctly modern twist on the Us3 sound.

“I always like to try something new on every Us3 album,” says Wilkinson. “Often that is in the combination of seemingly unrelated things, but making them work together seamlessly.”

Throughout the 1990s, Us3 became a global fixture with their pioneering fusion of jazz and hip-hop. Their music traveled from underground clubs in London to the streets of Tokyo, the U.S., New Zealand, and far beyond, becoming part of the soundtrack of everyday life. Decades later, that cross-cultural dialogue remains at the heart of Us3. The difference is that Wilkinson is no longer simply looking back at what Us3 was. He's looking ahead at what it can still become.
“When I was a kid, my mum always used to say, ‘Life is a journey, not a destination,’” says Wilkinson. “And this is another big road trip!”

The album's twelve tracks ultimately deliver what the title promises: a playful, groove-heavy collection designed to make you Snap, Crackle & Bop!