“it was as though he simply vanished into his music.”

strange, i was so sure that i have written about arthur russell just recently but obviously there is nothing here...

anyway, soul jazz records released “the world of arthur russell”, an amazing collection of russell's work, and i expect some more reviews about this cello and disco prodigy in major media as well.

my first encounter with russell was at the dusk of the eighties via the “sleeping bag classic mixes” sampler containing the famous “tiger stripes” and “go bang!” tracks.

these weird brass phrases made me really dizzy while the irresistible disco groove kept the feet dancing. not to forget the vocals and lyrics coming from somewhere between dada- and dilettantism. highly infectious.

it must have been the time in big apple when a lot of fresh formations like james white and the blacks, cristina or class action (whose “weekend” smash hit later should become a real masterpiece by the hands of todd terry and chep nuñez) started breaking the current borders between different styles, mixing disco with dub, folk with electronic, and thus, pushing new wave to its limits – and ends.

there are a lot more references to other (rather mainstream) pop intelligentsia like jerry harrison (of talking heads fame), bootsy collins or allen ginsberg – with russell in the epi-centre, blessed with an enourmous talent to play cello and a huge passion to mix disco. and certainly with a fundamental dose of weird humour.

some very impressive results of his musical ideals now are magnitised on the "world of" compilation among of which the most beautiful tracks actually are the still up-to-date “keeping up” and certainly “in the light of the miracle” with its more than 13 ambient and cozy minutes.