Not really much we can tell you about the name Craige Knowes at present (google is suggesting it’s a golf club on the south coast of Scotland), but what the label may lack in history or knowledge it certainly isn’t slacking on the impact front. The first release is an absolute monster of an EP which presents some powerhouse figures of house and techno together in the name of Warchild, with pretty much every cut demanding your attention.
There’s the gorgeous subtle emotive acid from perennial synth masturbator ASOK on the sublime ‘Toltec’, whilst Bicep invite you to tug the heart strings (and probably something else) with the equally achingly beautiful ‘Malima’. It’s all a bit tears from three eyes, so it’s no shock to see a track entitled ‘Taps Aff for Galsgow’ come through. The culprits are Move D and Gerd Janson, and they turn out a sinewy slab of metallic funk which is lustily hypnotic and continues the theme of electronic music for grown men who really should know better.
Elsewhere the Rolando esque touches on ‘Cecilia Bruun Hansen Kom!’ from Amir Alexander under his The BinStarsystem guise, charm laced synths and gentle shuffle of Hammer Ludd’s ‘Controller’ and the frenetic 808 on the appropriately titled ‘Acid Rapids’ from the Burrel Connection all stand out. Pulling this much quality over your first five releases would be highly admirable, but knocking it all out in one debut release is just ridiculous. Like the sonic equivalent to all your best wanks, this is just fucking ace.
5 out of 5
Reviewed by Autocycle
{http://soundcloud.com/craigie-knowes/sets/cknow1-the-first-annual-fundraiser-war-child-2-x-12}
