With the returning Urban Knights lineup, Ramsey Lewis feels strong that the group has reached the next level with the new album.  "I was fortunate in the '50s that my first trio was encouraged by legends who'd come to town like Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, and Duke Ellington.  Just as I felt anointed by their 'touch', it's a joy to see the careers of these young musicians really take off through the Urban Knights."

The Urban Knights core - Ramsey Lewis (piano), Kevin Randolph (piano, keyboards), Sharay Reed (bass), and Calvin Rodgers (drums) - pick up where URBAN KNIGHTS III left off.  Daring into more edgy, street terrain, the Knights are joined by Norman Brown, Steve Cole, and Ron Haynes on the set.  On Hi-Heel Sneakers, Frayne Lewis mentions that "it was a challenge to cover this classic.  But we took a fresh approach to it, thinking of how and R&B street musician might perform it.  The result was this great bluesy melody over an R&B/hip hop rhythm. The same thing happened with Sign Your Name - we wanted to cover it a long time ago, but needed the right approach.  We found it by giving it a sort of rock-reggae feel."  Opal (of the Staple Singers) lends an honest, gospel feel to Alright with her smooth vocals.  B (aka Bobby Lewis) worked as a drummer and producer on previous projects, but, as Frayne recalls,"he started to sing The One and I knew he was it for that song."

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