Two DJs had a simple idea: sample their favourite jazz albums to make new dance music. It was very good idea, which took off in the clubs of London in the early 1990s and one that led to a call from the fabled Blue Note Records. The call wasn't to demand royalties but to offer the cellars of the label to the two men. It was an offer they couldn't resist. Teaming up with young musicians such as Gerard Presencer and Steve Williamson they produced Hand On The Torch. With it's astute use of samples, funky groove, cool cut rapping and sense of the sheer joy of jazz, this can count as one of the truly great jazz albums of the 90s. Every track is a stand out and possible single. Included are the two which were hit singles, "Cantaloop (flip fantasia)" and "Tukka Yoot's Riddem". Being fine numbers in themselves, they also introduced a new audience to Herbie Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island" and Grant Green's "Sookie Sookie", which are the samples for the two numbers respectively. It is this building upon the jazz tradition, creating something contemporary that makes this album so enthralling. --Phil Brett