
Knats: Vinyl LP
GB4003Pre-Order Item. Release Date Subject to Change.
Label: Gearbox Records
Release Date: 28th February
A joyful British jazz sound, bringing together sounds of funk, hip hop influences and a party atmosphere. This is jazz anyone can get on with.
For those who dig: Ruby Rushford, Ezra Collective, Eddie Chacon (who they've backed on tour)...
Knats is the band's much anticipated self-titled debut album
It comes on the heels of an incendiary year for the band including 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-out 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. Their infectious energy has seen the band develop an enviable word-of-mouth ascent, earning Spotify playlist covers and plaudits from the likes of the Guardian, Jazzwise, and more.
In its entirety, this 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.
The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle is not to be overlooked.