Artists such as The Emotions, Freddie Hubbard, Grover Washington Jr. and Omar Hakim appear on the album.

Urban Knights I also features a cover of Earth, Wind & Fire's 1981 single "Wanna Be with You".

[1][4] Langston Wentz Jr. of the Charlotte Observer wrote, "Ramsey Lewis, Grover Washington Jr., Omar Hakim and Victor Bailey all got together to make a pop-jazz album.

"[9] Ronald Kovach of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel claimed "a few things boost this recording a big notch higher, most notably the presence of drummer Omar Hakim and bassist Victor Bailey the rhythm section during Weather Report's final three years.

They are an exceptional unit, and give generous portions of this album a real kick...The music also benefits from better-than-average arrangements (note Lewis' lovely piano intro for the effervescent "Friendship"), impressive variety and a perfect recording.