3rd Force

As a fixture on the Higher Octave roster, the instrumental outfit 3rd Force comprises multi-instrumentalists William Aura—who also produces the group and writes most of its material—Craig Dobbin, and Alain Eskinasi, along with an assortment of recurring guest players. Far more wide-ranging than the typical smooth-jazz radio act, the trio routinely crosses into dance-heavy, electronically accented acid jazz and at times folds in ethnic textures. Its self-titled debut surfaced in 1994; a run of similarly accomplished “force”-themed follow-ups ensued with Force of Nature in 1995, Vital Force in 1997, and Force Field in 1999. Higher Octave issued the best-of retrospective Collective Force in 2000.