Knats Share Self-Titled Debut Album Black Narcissus
Knats | Credit: Ellie Slorick
“they gleefully rewire jazz with a hard-as-nails rhythm section, drum’n’bass energy and punk aggression.” - The Guardian
“jaw-dropping brilliance” - Jazzwise
Today, Newcastle Upon Tyne quintet Knats release the physical edition of their much anticipated self-titled debut album. The album is released via London analogue specialist label Gearbox Records (Elliot Galvin, Cahill//Costello, Village Of the Sun), and comes ahead of a digital release which will follow 28th March.
‘Knats’ 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 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, earning Spotify playlist covers and plaudits from the likes of the Guardian, Jazzwise, Record Collector, and MOJO. This debut album marks 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.
To mark the release of their album, the band have shared their take on Joe Henderson's ‘Black Narcissus’. Combining adrenaline-fuelled, up-tempo drumming with groove inflected resplendent basslines and passionate sax, the track perfectly encapsulates the their infectious energy.
Hear/share ‘Black Narcissus’ here
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. 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.
The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle is not to be overlooked.
‘Knats’ is out now physically via Gearbox Records - order here
(Digital version to be released on 28th March)
Tracklisting:
1. One For Josh
2. Miz (featuring Anatole Muster)
3. 500 Fils (featuring Parthenope)
4. Black Narcissus
5. Rumba(r)
6. Makina Thema
7. Tortuga (For Me Mam)
8. Se7en (featuring Tom Ford)
9. In The Pitt
10. Adaeze
