Urban Knights - Volume V excellent - see pics

The is the fifth album from the rotating smooth jazz all-star showcaseUrban Knights, and it continues with much the same flavor as the group's previous releases: a mix of post-bop jazz influences and straightforward R&B. The album opens with an instrumental version of Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up" featuring bandleader Ramsey Lewis covering the main vocal parts with his piano. Two collective originals follow, leading into Michelle Williams' soft vocals on "Will You Still Love Me?" "On the Up" is an original with a thick electronic funk thanks largely to Kenny Garrett. Another group original follows in the same vein, although the collective takes on Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" yield mixed results, holding Steve Zoloto's sax over the top of a groove. Some contemporary R&B pokes through on "No One," and Orbert Davis invokes a bit of Miles Davis on his trumpet over the funk of "The New Funktier." After another short R&B romp, the album finishes on a pair of Hans Zimmer numbers from the Gladiator soundtrack. As far as smooth jazz goes, this is an outstanding collection from the all-stars of the genre, complete with some thoroughly worked-out funkiness at the hands of Lewis as the need arises. For the mix of originals and covers, the album, overall, does quite well. Both newcomers to the genre or old Ramsey Lewis fans should give it a listen .

Tracks

1 Got to Give It Up
2 Quiet Heart
3 Church
4 Will You Still Love Me?
5 On the Up
6 King
7 I Can See Clearly Now
8 No One
9 The New Funktier10 Dream
11 Honor Him/Now We Are Free

Musician Credits:

Orbert Davis Trumpet
Maurice Fitzgerald Bass
Kenny Garrett Saxophone
Mano Hanes Keyboards, Producer
Keith Henderson Guitar
William Kilgore Vocal
Danny Leake Engineer, Guitar, Mixing
Frayne Lewis Keyboards, Producer
Juliette Lewis Vocals (Background)
Ramsey Lewis Executive Producer, Piano
Alejo Poveda Percussion
Kevin Randolph Keyboards, Producer
Sharay Reed Bass
Rick Robinson Organ
Calvin Rodgers Drums
Paul Walton Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Simbryt Whititngton Vocals (Background)
Erron Williams Strings
Michelle Williams Vocals
Steve Zoloto Saxophone

This CD has been test played to ensure you get what you pay for. No surprises here.

All come with jewel case, liner booklet and the CD disc itself.

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