The Band Played The Boogie – How One Track Sparked Us3’s Journey
Before Us3, There Was NW1
When music fans think of Us3, they often picture the platinum-selling Hand on the Torch album and the global hit Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia).
But before Us3 became a household name, producers Geoff Wilkinson and Mel Simpson were working under a different name – NW1.
In 1991, that name was stamped on a single that would quietly help ignite a movement: “The Band Played The Boogie”, released on a then-young, fiercely independent London label called Ninja Tune.
The Birth of “The Band Played The Boogie”
“The Band Played The Boogie” wasn’t just another club track. It was a bold fusion of jazz riffs, funk basslines, and streetwise lyricism, delivered by Born 2 B, a South-East London MC with a knack for storytelling.
The track stood out for several reasons:
- Live-feel jazz samples layered over boom bap drum programming
- Funk-driven basslines that kept dancefloors moving
- Lyrics that were sharp, confident, and full of swagger
It was a perfect reflection of what was brewing in London’s underground – a sound that pulled equally from Blue Note Records’ jazz legacy and the energy of the UK hip-hop scene.
From Ninja Tune to Blue Note
The release of The Band Played The Boogie didn’t just get club spins – it also drew serious label interest. Shortly after the single dropped, Geoff Wilkinson and Mel Simpson approached Born 2 B with a proposal: join forces permanently as a trio under a new name – Us3 – to sign a major record deal.
At the time, the name Us3 was intended to represent Wilkinson, Simpson, and Born 2 B as an act. But when it came time to formalise the agreement, Born 2 B declined.
“Geoff hadn’t signed the contract with me to ensure my royalties from Ninja Tune,” Born 2 B recalls. “And while I was out there performing the shows to promote the record, Geoff took the lead in all the press interviews and didn’t allow much room for other members to speak. That created mistrust.” Ultimately, Wilkinson and Simpson signed with Blue Note Records as Us3 without Born 2 B, who continued on his own creative path.
Conversations with Mel Simpson
Years later, shortly before Mel Simpson’s passing in 2004, Born 2 B met with him to discuss working together again. By that point, Mel had left Us3 and had also experienced similar issues.
“He told me he’d had enough of working with Geoff by then,” Born 2 B says. “We were ready to reconnect creatively, but sadly, we never got the chance.”
Born 2 B’s Parallel Path
While NW1 transformed into Us3, Born 2 B signed with US label Century Vista Records, carving his own lane in the jazz-hop and conscious hip-hop scenes.
Though his path diverged from Us3’s, Born 2 B’s role in that early NW1 release remains a key part of the UK jazz-hop story – a reminder that history is shaped by the right collaborations at the right moment.
Why “The Band Played The Boogie” Still Matters
More than 30 years later, “The Band Played The Boogie” still resonates with collectors, DJs, and fans of jazz-hop. For Ninja Tune devotees, it’s a piece of label history. For Us3 fans, it’s a prequel to one of the most important jazz-rap albums ever made. And for Born 2 B, it’s a defining moment that connects his legacy to one of the genre’s greatest success stories.
Where the Story Continues
In 2025, Born 2 B returns with Blue Notes, Beats & Rhymes — an album that carries forward the spirit of “The Band Played The Boogie” while speaking directly to the social and political realities of today.
📀 Boom bap meets Blue Note jazz.
🎤 Lyrics with purpose.
🎧 Listen to Blue Notes, Beats & Rhymes here → http://www.born2bmusic.com/born-2-b-blue-notes-beats-rhymes-former-us3-collaborator-uk-jazz-hop-pioneer/
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