Search - Ron Haynes, Fareed Haque, Kevin Randolph :: Urban Knights Presents: The Chicago Project

Urban Knights Presents: The Chicago Project
Ron Haynes, Fareed Haque, Kevin Randolph
Urban Knights Presents: The Chicago Project
Genres: Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (11) - Disc #1

The most surprising aspect of this CD and its focus on three Windy City musicians is the ease in which critically acclaimed jazz and world-music guitarist Fareed Haque slips into the smooth-jazz genre. Like French guitaris...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Ron Haynes, Fareed Haque, Kevin Randolph
Title: Urban Knights Presents: The Chicago Project
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Narada
Release Date: 3/26/2002
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Styles: Jazz Fusion, Smooth Jazz
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 724381197721, 724381197752

Synopsis

Amazon.com
The most surprising aspect of this CD and its focus on three Windy City musicians is the ease in which critically acclaimed jazz and world-music guitarist Fareed Haque slips into the smooth-jazz genre. Like French guitarist Marc Antoine, Haque adds a definite international flair to this date, including sitar sounds over hip-hop grooves on "Bombay Streets," and monster flamenco chops on "Myths and Legends" and "A Place in Time." Two of the best things about the Urban Knights IV album, trumpeter Ron Haynes and keyboard wiz Kevin Randolph, are the other soloists here, with the latter having a firmer stamp on these proceedings. Cut out of the Ramsey Lewis/Jeff Lorber '70s keyboard mode, Randolph's playing highlights the funky mix of old-school style with 21st-century beats that sets the contemporary jazz scene in Chicago apart from other sounds. His groove is always steady and he stands out even when the spotlight is on his band mates. Haynes, best known for his stint with the Chicago acid-jazz group Liquid Soul, is much more subdued with this group, which is just the right speed for smooth jazz and this heavily sequenced but enjoyable production. --Mark Ruffin

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CD Reviews

Why NOT?!!!
Nnamdi Onyido | Minna, Nigeria | 05/22/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Listen, whenever I get to read certain remarks about which fine albums to purchase or listen to, and this one's not one of them (as is always the case), it breaks my heart.This is a near-perfect representation of smooth jazz laced with genres cutting from funk and soul, to even world music.
I kind of rated Kevin Randolph as the star of the album, especially on "Always", but the other performers can't easily be written off.Someone said "that Girl" was the CD's weakest track, and though he might be right (I'm not saying so because there is no weak track on this album),that cut set the groove for the others to almost seamlessly fit in.Ron Haynes put in a stellar perfomance on "Urban Knights IV" and practically continues from where he left off.My favourite track of his is "On the Block",while Haque adds his block to the project with "Myths and Legends".The Three then get together to jam on "Three's A Company", and you wouldn't deny that by the way they went about the track.
Generally it should have received more recognition than it has;these three gentlemen have done good.Definitely a must-have for those who are not conscious of the "jazz police" who will write this off as one of them bland recordings,especially with all that electric beat all over the set.It's great music."
EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clarence Murphy | Detroit, MI USA | 12/26/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are tried of smooth jazz, purchase this cd. The musically arrangements are tight. They have the 70's breakdowns that are unbelievable. It is amazing to me how these boys get no airplay. You will enjoy listening to this music."
GGGGGRRRRREEEEEAAAAATTTT CD
RSD | 12/03/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why has this Cd received no air play? most of the tracks remind of the '70s and the great Funk music from "Back in the day".nothing I say could properly describe how good this CD is..Well Done Guys,this is fantastic work...For me the best track is ALWAYS(instrumental).....the entire CD is worth the purchase Don't miss out on this one."