Description

Under various monikers, cellist/producer Arthur Russell is responsible for some of the most groundbreaking post-disco dance records ever made. Though a relatively obscure figure, Russell was instrumental in bringing disco out of the Studio 54s and into the downtown lofts and art spaces of New York during the late 1970s and early '80s. In addition to dance music, Russell also recorded numerous experimental works that featured him on cello and vocals. He died of AIDS in 1992.

Biography

b. Charles Arthur Russell, 1951, Oskaloosa, Iowa, USA, d. 4 April 1992, New York City, New York, USA. Although he was a classically trained cellist, Russell is best remembered as one of the true pioneers of disco and for his involvement with the Manhattan-based club scene in the late 70s. After completing his high school education, Russell headed straight to San Francisco in the early 70s where he joined a Buddhist commune. He would practice harmonizing his voice with his cello, a unique musical effect that later became a feature of his songwriting and productions. It was at the commune that Russell first worked with Allen Ginsberg, providing musical accompaniment for the poet's spoken word performances. The effect he had on the commune spurred them to sell some of their possessions and send Russell to a local music school. It was at the San Francisco Conservatory and Ali Akbar Khan School that Russell really pushed the cello to unknown territories and drove him to further his study at the Manhattan School of Music. Russell gravitated towards Nicky Siano's Gallery and the equally infamous Loft clubnights where David Mancuso was spinning his legendary sets. It was here Russell met many like-minded individuals, one of whom was David Byrne from the Talking Heads (a band Russell nearly joined). He worked with Byrne, Rhys Chatham and Peter Gordon in the occasional recording project, the Flying Hearts.
In 1978, Russell and Siano co-produced the disco anthem "Kiss Me Again" under the Dinosaur moniker. The track quickly became a favourite at the notorious Studio 54 club. Russell then linked up with Steve D'Acquisto and formed Loose Joints, which created the seminal "Is It All Over My Face" in 1980, receiving an exquisite remix by Larry Levan of the Paradise Garage. This was a huge break for Russell, but instead of making commercial disco music he became more experimental much to the excitement/annoyance of the people around him. His neighbour Ginsberg quoted Russell as saying he wanted to make "Buddhist bubble-gum music". The single "Go Bang", released by Russell under the Dinosaur L moniker, proved to be an influential track in the development of Chicago house music. The solo, non-dance albums Tower Of Meaning (1983) and World Of Echo (1986) went largely unheard at the time, a sad fate to befall some of the most subtle and challenging music to emerge from the experimental New York scene in the mid-80s. During this period Russell continued to release dance tracks, notably "Tell You Today" (1983), "Wax The Van" (1985), and "Let's Go Swimming" (1986). He also collaborated with choreographers Dianne Madden, John Bernd and Stephanie Woodard. Unfortunately, Russell's life was cut short when he died of AIDS in 1992. The 2004 compilation The World Of Arthur Russell offers a fine entry point to the work of this unsung composer.
DISCOGRAPHY: Tower Of Meaning (Sleeping Bag 1983)****, Instrumentals (1974 - Vol. 2) (Another Side 1984)***, World Of Echo (Upside/Rough Trade 1986)****.
COMPILATIONS: Another Thought (Point Music 1993)***, The World Of Arthur Russell (Soul Jazz 2004)****, Calling Out Of Context (Audika 2004)***.

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