One of our recent Top 20 of 2025 selections, Knats, have returned with their first track of the new year in the form of ‘Wor Jackie’. The Newcastle jazz trio are continuing to redefine the sound of modern jazz with their sonic experiments. This one leans in a heavier direction, with the poetry from newcomer Cooper Robson providing contrast to George Johnson’s tenor sax solos and Stanley Elvis Woodward’s first experiments with Messiaen modes as a compositional tool. Stan explains that the track “was written at a time when I was reading into the North East coal mining industry, after a conversation with me grandad talking about his time as a pitman. The community aspect amongst the pitman astounded me, given the dangerous nature of the job. The piece, I initially intended to be a moody sort of march, which then evolved with the addition of Cooper Robsons gorgeous poems. The title ‘Wor Jackie’ refers to Newcastle football player Jackie Milburn, who was believed to have done half days in the pit and half on the football pitch, and who I thought would be the perfect character to represent this story.” The band’s new album, A Great Day In Newcastle, is produced by (and featuring), Black Midi’s Geordie Greep. It drops on March 6th, 2026, via Gearbox Records. -Dan Peeke