DVS1, Klockworks 05

[Klockworks]


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Private press labels — those insular imprints built primarily to house an artist’s own work — offer something akin to a Fortress of Solitude for their owners. When Shed, Swayzak, Villalobos or Levon Vincent wants to release a record unbound by the expectations of label owners and their bean counters, they retreat to their respective private press labels and turn their unadulterated visions into a vinyl realities. And when such a label invites an outsider into their hand stamped fiefdom it can be interpreted as a sign of great respect towards the invitee. If most label additions are unsurprising (Reboot and Los Updates on Sei Es Drum, Norman Nodge on MDR), the name emblazoned on “Klockworks 05” is sure to raise eyebrows. The first outside artist released on Ben Klock’s self-styled Klockworks label is the virtually unknown DVS1, a Russian born, Minneapolis-based producer most often affiliated with his Hush promotion company. Any concerns about letting an American (and a Midwesterner not from Detroit, to boot) take the reins will surely be allayed by caliber of “Klockworks 05.”

You wouldn’t know it from listening to the record’s three cuts, but “Klockworks 05” is DVS1’s debut release. More obvious is how its contents are informed by the stripped back, pragmatic techno the label usually furnishes and the work of Detroit architects Robert Hood and Jeff Mills. “Searching” alternates between despondent bloops and tensely coiled bass guitar licks redolent of Marc Houle, its anxious atmosphere underpinned by purring organ chords and skittish hi-hats. Halfway through he frees the bass to tip-toe up and down the scale in chromatic steps, a pacing sentry guarding the exit. Chromatic phrasing is in fact common to all three tracks. A lilting progression courses through “Floating” like wind whistling through tree branches, flowing between splashy ride cymbals and insectoid hi-hats. “Running” likewise evokes existential dread with its fidgeting dual leads. Admittedly, there’s not much wow factor or innovation in “Klockworks 05” (a trait shared with rest of the series), but you can see how a dingy warehouse party could be kept aloft by this rookie producer’s work. Expect to hear more from DVS1.

Jordan Rothlein  on October 1, 2009 at 8:34 AM

Agreed. These tracks are nothing fancy, but I’ve been pretty shocked by how little attention this 12″ has gotten. How the hell did Ben Klock get his hands on this?

harpomarx42  on October 1, 2009 at 10:12 AM

Nice. Sounds like a Robert Hood outtake.

Peder  on October 1, 2009 at 11:16 AM

@jordan: here’s your answer: http://www.randomcircuits.com/joe/dvs1-klockworks-05/comment-page-1#comment-2808

really solid record. a lot better actually than the rather workmanlike stuff that klock has previously put out on this label (in contrast to the bangers on ostgut).

Jordan Rothlein  on October 2, 2009 at 9:42 AM

Thanks Peder.

m@earth  on October 2, 2009 at 11:52 AM

I am a longtime friend of, and dj’d closing set at the party Zak was ‘discovered’ at.
Good times! And a dj dressed up like a robot.
Oh man. Dance music of pure function. Am pissed I didn’t get to see Ben Klock dj at the VIP room, but Ben did get the full Minneapolis experience by hearing Zak and feeling a proper body shaking Minneapolis sound system. And yes, the set by Zak was incredible. See link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erBbxq9O_GQ

Good party. Great night. Zak is a force to be reckoned with.
As a dj and live.

Am excited to see and hear what the future holds for him.

Particle People  on October 2, 2009 at 12:20 PM

How did ben get his hands on this?

Ben played for us last april…then after the show we took him to an afterhours…DVS1 was playing live on a huge sound rig…when we got home, all ben could talk about was “dvs1”. zak pretty much blew his mind. I think dvs1 is going to be making his berghain debut in January as well with ben. This may be his first release, but dvs1 has been an integral part of the minneapolis scene for well over ten years…nobody deserves this more than zak…HUGE CONGRATS BUD!!

Will Lynch  on October 2, 2009 at 2:23 PM

cool story. great record too.

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