Kelvin Andrews

Quick Facts

Summary

Kelvin Andrews is a British songwriter, producer and DJ from Stoke-on-Trent who has co-written a significant body of work with Robbie Williams, who is also from Stoke-on-Trent. A long-standing collaborator since Williams’ early solo years, Andrews has contributed to numerous recordings and is also active in dance music as part of the house project Soul Mekanik.

Biography

Kelvin Andrews is a British songwriter, producer and DJ from Stoke-on-Trent, born in 1964, who has been a long-standing creative collaborator with Robbie Williams. Williams is also from Stoke-on-Trent, and their shared background forms part of a wider creative relationship that has spanned more than two decades.

Working primarily behind the scenes, Andrews has contributed to a substantial body of work within Williams’ catalogue, operating across pop, electronic, swing and experimental styles. His work sits alongside, but distinct from, Williams’ more publicly recognised songwriting partnerships.

Early life and musical background

Kelvin Andrews was born into a musical family in Stoke-on-Trent. His father, known professionally as Tony K, was a recording artist and bandleader who worked extensively in soul and popular music. As a result, Andrews grew up surrounded by professional musicians and a wide range of musical influences, particularly American soul, funk and rhythm and blues.

Rather than following a formal classical training route, Andrews developed his musical identity through DJ culture, listening and practical experimentation, absorbing musical structure and groove through experience.

DJ culture and early production work

Before working with Robbie Williams, Andrews established himself within club and dance music. He became a resident DJ at the Stoke-on-Trent nightclub Golden, where he developed a strong understanding of rhythm, pacing and audience response.

Together with his brother Danny Spencer, Andrews became involved in a number of influential dance music projects. As part of Sure Is Pure, the duo produced and remixed tracks for artists including Aretha Franklin, Sister Sledge, Marvin Gaye, the Doobie Brothers and Sly and the Family Stone.

This period culminated in the global success of Blue Boy’s “Remember Me”, which Andrews and Spencer transformed from an overlooked B-side into an international hit.

Sound Five and early contact with Robbie Williams

In 2000, Andrews and Spencer became part of the group Sound Five, which released the album No Illicit Dancing. The project included the track Surface Noise, featuring vocals by Robbie Williams under the pseudonym Tipsy McStagger.

Williams had been aware of Andrews for several years before working together formally, having seen him DJ locally in Stoke-on-Trent and followed his earlier dance music work.

Songwriting with Robbie Williams

Kelvin Andrews was the first of Soul Mekanik to begin writing directly with Robbie Williams. Williams initially visited Andrews to play early solo demos and seek feedback, before inviting him into writing sessions.

One of Andrews’ earliest and most significant contributions was introducing a groove inspired by Barry White’s “Ecstasy” into a session with Williams and Guy Chambers. That idea became the foundation for Rock DJ, one of Williams’ defining singles.

Over time, Andrews became part of a wider songwriting unit that included Danny Spencer and Rich Scott. Collectively, they co-wrote a large number of songs across Williams’ catalogue, including material from albums such as Rudebox, Reality Killed the Video Star, The Christmas Present and the Under the Radar series.

Within this structure, Andrews often acted as a central connector, moving ideas between collaborators and helping shape material across multiple genres.

Soul Mekanik and electronic work

Alongside his pop songwriting, Andrews is a member of the UK house project Soul Mekanik, formed with Danny Spencer and Rich Scott. The project originated as a duo between Andrews and Spencer, who initially released music under the alter egos Roland Bass and Luke Warm.

These aliases were used until 2003, after which the project credited releases under the members’ real names. Soul Mekanik reflects Andrews’ continued commitment to electronic and club music alongside mainstream pop songwriting.

Through Soul Mekanik and related projects, Andrews has remained active as a DJ and producer, maintaining a parallel career outside chart-focused pop.

Later work and creative approach

Andrews has continued to collaborate intermittently with Robbie Williams across different phases of Williams’ career. Their working relationship is characterised by informality, experimentation and creative freedom.

His contributions extend beyond songwriting into production concepts, arrangement ideas and stylistic direction, particularly where groove-based or unconventional elements are involved.

Credits & Contributions (39)