The World of Arthur Russell

The denizen of a strange netherworld when an experimental composer and at other times - LOOSE JOINTS, DINOSAUR L, LOLA...- the host of NY's freakiest nights, Arthur Russell was one of the pivotal figure and most impressive talent of NYC's downtown scene.

Born in Iowa, Russell sudied cello and music before moving to San Fransisco in the early seventies where he reportedly worked in conjunction with JOHN CAGE and ALLEN GINSBERG while studying Indian music at the Ali Akbar Khan School. Accordingly those two conections are traceable in works such as WORLD OF ECHO or TOWER OF MEANING that have both a distinctive experimental taint and a taste for the infinite.

After moving to New York in the late seventies, Russell became acquainted with music greats such as DAVID BYRNE, RHYS CHATHAM or JON GIBSON and this lead to the release in 1984 of INSTRUMENTALS a collection of tracks performed between 1975 and 1979.
However, despite his classical music pedigree, Russell first made a mark on the audience when taking part to the underground disco scene under a variety of monikers such as LOOSE JOINTS, LOLA or DINOSAUR L. Though his first disco release is reported to be KISS ME AGAIN on SIRE, it is really Loose Joints' Is it all over my Face? that put him under the limelight blessed as it was on its remix edition by two faultless LARRY LEVAN remixes.

Another stunning disco classic and one with an extremely leftfield production is DINOSAUR L's Go Bang, a track engraved into downtown's pantheon along with LIQUID LIQUID's Cavern. The FRAN?OIS K engineered track was actually released on Russell's own SLEEPING BAG imprint. Co-founded with Wiliam Socology, it was inauguated with the release of the 24-24 Music Ep. Though he remained a producer of leftfield disco throughout the eighties, Russell also focused on his more experimental works releasing WORLD OF ECHO and illustrating the works of Choregraphers. This was ended prematurely when in 1992, Russell died of AIDS.

2004 compilation for the electronica pioneer.
11 tracks including 1 bonus track by Indian Ocean, 'Schoolbell/Treehouse' (Walter Gibbons Mix), along with remixes by FK, Larry Levan, & Walter Gibbons.

Enjoy ;)

1 "Go Bang" (Dinosaur L) – 7:36
2 "Wax the Van" (Lola) – 5:27
3 "Is It All Over My Face" (Loose Joints) – 6:57
4 "Keeping Up" (Arthur Russell) – 6:20
5 "In the Light of the Miracle" (Arthur Russell) – 13:21
6 "A Little Lost" (Arthur Russell) – 3:18
7 "Pop Your Funk" (Loose Joints) – 6:38
8 "Let's Go Swimming" (Arthur Russell) – 5:14
9 "In the Cornbelt" (Dinosaur L) – 5:57
10 "Treehouse" (Arthur Russell) – 2:17
11 "Schoolbell/Treehouse" (Indian Ocean) – 10:05

Part 1
Part 2