Self-Titled Album Out Now Via Gearbox Records
“For all the ink spilt over the UK jazz renaissance, it’s been notable that most of the scene’s activity to date has been confined to London. Offering an overdue corrective is Knats”
–Uncut
“they gleefully rewire jazz with a hard-as-nails rhythm section, drum’n’bass energy and punk aggression.”
–The Guardian
“Though Knats currently live in London, they do not play London jazz. They’re from the West End of Newcastle upon Tyne, in the far north of the U.K., and pride themselves on playing Newcastle’s homegrown Geordie jazz, known for its deep, danceable drum’n‘bass grooves and infectious, aggressive melodies.”
–DownBeat
“jaw-dropping brilliance”
–Jazzwise
“an inventive collection of sophisticated horn-led grooves enhanced by piquant funk, Latin, classical, and drum and bass elements”
–Record Collector
“there is an honesty and dynamism to this music that is likely to put Newcastle firmly on the map as a source of exciting new jazz sounds.”
–Jazz Journal
On Friday, Newcastle Upon Tyne quintet Knats released a new single titled “Beauty & The Beast (Peace)”. The track sees them collaborating with Mike Keat of The Cuban Brothers and Simon Bartholomew of The Brand New Heavies. The single sees tight jazz instrumentation glide and wind around Keats powerful soul vocals, and Bartolomew’s funk-inflected guitars.
HEAR / SHARE “BEAUTY & THE BEAST (PEACE)” HERE
Speaking on the song, Keat says: “My past few releases as Mike Keat have been a little foray into soulful protest songs, ‘I’ll Keep My Light In My Window’ for example. With this release I wanted to speak more of the oppressed worldwide and give a message of solidarity without being overly political; and on hearing & hanging with Knats for the first time almost 3 years ago I wanted to do something dope with them…something that doesn’t sound like anything else. For me Stan and King are one of the most ‘in pocket’ rhythm sections rocking in the UK today – the whole outfit has crazy chops so it was a very natural vibe to rock Beauty and the Beast and flip it Geordie Jazz style. Alreet PEACE!”
The new single comes on the heels of an incendiary year for the band including releasing their critically acclaimed debut album via Gearbox Records (Cahill//Costello, Liza Lo, Abdullah Ibrahim, Elliot Galvin), as well as supporting Geordie Greep (black midi) and playing as the backing band for R&B legend Eddie Chacon on UK tours. They also played a sold out Jazz Refreshed headliner, supported Str4ta at a sold Jazz Cafe, and performed at the BBC Proms.
Led by two lifelong best friends from Newcastle, Stan Woodward (bass) and King David-Ike Elechi (drums), Knats pride themselves on making “Geordie Jazz”, with sophisticated arrangements, strong melodies and danceable grooves. The band have developed an enviable word-of-mouth ascent, as well as earning Spotify playlist covers and plaudits from the likes of the Guardian, Jazzwise, Record Collector, Uncut, DownBeat, MOJO, and more. Their recent debut album marked the beginning of the Knats’ sound, proper. It is a materialisation of the musical journey Stan and King have been on together over the past 10 years, drawn directly from their experiences growing up in the West End of Newcastle upon Tyne—overcoming hardship and figuring things out on their own. Eventually, they found their missing link: the virtuosic young Geordie trumpet player, Ferg Kilsby, who, with his slick melodic ideas, completes the full sound that is Knats.
In its entirety, their album is dedicated to Knats’ loved ones; Stan’s composition and recent single “Tortuga (For me Mam)” shows his love and appreciation of his Mam, while “Se7en”, a darker tune, expresses his emotional relationship with his Dad, formerly “DJ Se7en”. “Adaeze” is a tribute to King’s late sister, taken from a gospel folk tune, incorporating West African percussive breaks and instrumentation. Acting as a message to all those who may know someone suffering with mental health to check on those around them and be that helping hand they might need.
“Knats” is out now via Gearbox Records.
