Urban Knights

Last updated
Urban Knights
Genres
Years active1995–2005, 2019-present
Labels GRP, Narada

The Urban Knights are an American all-star jazz fusion band. They released their self-titled debut in 1995. They have a total of 8 studio albums. [1]

Contents

Overview

The Urban Knight's debut album, Urban Knights I , was released in 1995 by GRP Records. Produced by Maurice White, the album features musicians such as Grover Washington, Jr., Ramsey Lewis, Omar Hakim, Victor Bailey, Freddie Hubbard and The Emotions. [2] The album reached No. 5 on the US Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart and No. 9 upon the UK Top Jazz Albums chart. [3] [4]

The jazz group's follow up album, Urban Knights II was released in 1997 by GRP. Once again produced by Maurice White, the album features saxophonists Gerald Albright and Najee as well as guitarists Jonathan Butler, Verdine White and Morris Pleasure. [5] Jazz Times claimed, "With moods playful to passionate and players in a relaxed goodtime frame of mind, it’s a perfect party disc." [6] Don Heckman of the Los Angeles Times found "The music that results can perhaps best be described as rhythm & jazz--bits and pieces of improvising from Lewis and the horn players juxtaposed against insistent, funk-driven rhythms. South African Butler, especially on the tracks in which he sings (“South African Jam” and “Brazilian Rain,” especially), brings a seductive world-music ambience to the proceedings." [7] The album reached No. 7 on the US Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart and No. 24 upon the UK Top Jazz Albums chart. [3] [4]

During 2000, the group's third studio album, Urban Knights III , was issued on Narada Records. Artists such as Dave Koz, Earl Klugh, and Fareed Haque played upon the LP. [8] People proclaimed "sixties jazz-pop pioneer Ramsey Lewis ("The 'In' Crowd") contributes keyboards on 10 of these 12 tracks by the latest group of hot, young Chicago musicians he has assembled for this urbane joust." [9] Hilarie Grey of Jazz Times said "Ramsey Lewis’ Urban Knights III exploits the urban sophistication and stylish blue roots of its Chicago setting". [10]

Discography

Albums

YearTitlePeak chart positionsRecord label
US Jazz
[3] 		US Con. Jazz
[11] 		UK
Jazz
[4]
1995 Urban Knights I 539 GRP
1997 Urban Knights II 7524 GRP
2000 Urban Knights III 43- Narada
2001 Urban Knights IV 21- Narada
2002Urban Knights Presents the Chicago Project30 [12] 21 [12] - Narada
2003 Urban Knights V 157- Narada
2005 Urban Knights VI 64- Narada
2019Urban Knights VII---Rodeadope [13]

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<i>Urban Knights IV</i> 2001 studio album by Urban Knights

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References

  1. ↑ "Urban Knights". Allmusic.com.
  2. ↑ "Urban Knights I". Allmusic.com.
  3. 1 2 3 "Urban Knights: Jazz Albums". billboard.com. Billboard. Archived from the original on November 9, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 "Urban Knights". Official Charts Company . Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Urban Knights II". Allmusic.com.
  6. ↑ "Urban Knights: Urban Knights II". jazztimes.com. Jazz Times. September 12, 1997.
  7. ↑ Heckman, Don (May 25, 1997). "Smooth Sale-ing Ahead in the Contemporary Arena". Los Angeles Times .
  8. ↑ Urban Knights: Urban Knights III. Narada Records. 2000.
  9. ↑ "Picks and Pans Review: Worth a Listen". people.com. People. May 8, 2000.
  10. ↑ "Ramsey Lewis: Urban Knights III". jazztimes.com. Jazz Times. June 1, 2000.
  11. ↑ "Urban Knights: Contemporary Jazz Albums". billboard.com. Billboard. Archived from the original on November 9, 2019.
  12. 1 2 "Fareed Haque". Billboard . Retrieved January 2, 2025.
  13. ↑ "VII - Ramsey Lewis, Urban Knights | Releases | AllMusic". AllMusic .
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