--=[ Urban Knights ]=--

Urban Knights - The Best Of Urban Knights [2005]

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The smooth jazz all-star collective Urban Knights features pianist Ramsey Lewis as its constant member. Sometime Urban Knights include Grover Washington Jr., Maurice White, the Emotions, Najee, Dave Koz, Fareed Haque, and Earl Klugh. Lewis united the various Knights for outings like 1995's self-titled debut, 1997's Urban Knights II, and 2000's Urban Knights III, which was the supergroup's first album for the Narada label.
















URBAN KNIGHTS - URBAN KNIGHTS VI [2005]

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Funky urban contemporary jazz by the Chicago-based quintet Urban Knights shows off the robust vitality they continue conjure up in the genre. At the center of the set is Wayne Shorter's "Footprints," their version of which perfectly demonstrates an ability to blend a modernist composition with utterly fresh sounds. Nick Bisesi's flute hovers in the air over the gently punchy rhythm section, all the while immersed in the atmospherics of Kevin Rudolph's keyboards washes. Elsewhere they pay homage to a number of their forebears, opening the disc with Stanley Clarke's "School Days" and inviting guest Ramsey Lewis to play grand piano on his own "Memórias Belas."

















Urban Knights-Urban Knights IV [2001]

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Ramsey Lewis's Urban Knights may finally realize their stated goal of developing a new star within the Chicago jazz scene. Trumpeter Ron Haynes, last heard with the popular Chicago acid-jazz group Liquid Soul, can be described as Rick Braun with brawn, as his meaty chops shine on a number of tunes he cowrote including the opener, "The Message," and the steamy "Clubland" whose hip-hop roots trace to Midwest drum 'n' bass bars. The guest stars include guitarist Norman Brown on the aptly titled "Slick" and saxophonist Steve Cole reworking Terrence Trent D'arby's "Sign Your Name." Lewis's piano is effectively featured on a pretty ballad and the electronica-inspired numbers, but he works best on the bluesy "Hi Heel Sneakers," the third time he's recorded the Tommy Tucker classic in his five-decade career. The tandem of Ramsey Lewis and his son and producer, Frayne Lewis, has put together the best Urban Knights record since their highly recommended 1995 debut featuring Grover Washington Jr.

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