In 2003, The Ultimate Hand on the Torch was released, including many of the songs used as sampling material on Hand on the Torch.
Being released in the midst of social and commercial controversy over the nature of sampling in music during the early 1990s, the album became a critical success and also reached a widespread audience, with the work being nominated for a Grammy Award. It also was the first platinum-certified album put out by Blue Note Records. In 2016, the musical publicationMusicRadar labeled the release a "hip-hop tour de force".[8]
"Make Tracks" (Powell, Simpson, Wilkinson, Silver, Duke Pearson) - 4:45
"The Darkside" (Kelly, Simpson, Wilkinson, Larry Mizell) - 5:19
Sampling
"Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)" features samples from "Cantaloupe Island" as performed by Herbie Hancock, and the introduction by Pee Wee Marquette from "A Night in Birdland, Vol. 1" by Art Blakey Quintet.
"I Got It Goin' On" features a sample from "Ronnie's Bonnie" as performed by Reuben Wilson.
"Different Rhythms Different People" features vocal samples from "Art Blakey's Comment On Ritual" and "At The Cafe Bohemia, Vol. 2" by The Jazz Messengers.
"It's Like That" features samples from "Alfie's Theme" as performed by Big John Patton and "Cool Blues" as performed by Lou Donaldson.
"I Go To Work" features samples from "Straight No Chaser" as performed by Thelonious Monk.
"Tukka Yoot's Riddim" features samples from "Sookie Sookie" as performed by Grant Green.
"Lazy Day" features a sample from "Goin' Down South" as performed by Bobby Hutcherson.
"Eleven Long Years" features samples from "Song For My Father" as performed by Horace Silver and "Blind Man, Blind Man" as performed by Herbie Hancock.
"Make Tracks" features samples from "Filthy McNasty" as performed by Horace Silver and "Jeannine" as performed by Donald Byrd.
"The Darkside" features a sample from "Steppin' Into Tomorrow" as performed by Donald Byrd.
Personnel
Rap – Rahsaan Kelly and Kobie Powell (guest Tukka Yoot on Tukka Yoot's Riddim and Eleven Long Years)