Arthur Russell - Arm Around You

12 Extraordinary unreleased tracks from the timeless visionary genius of the New York underground.
“…a man crooning to himself out in the Iowa sunfields, killer whale deep in the ocean, drifting through the submarine city night and cobalt space”
-David Toop/The Wire
When Arthur Russell died in 1992 he left an overwhelming archive of over a 1000 tapes that reveal the sublime genius of one of the most important musicians of the last 25 years. As a cellist, songwriter, composer, and disco visionary Arthur Russell consistently blurred the lines of our expectations of what pop music could be. Originally from Iowa, Arthur travelled west in 1970 to study Indian classical composition with Ali Akbar Khan, befriended Allen Ginsberg, performed with Alice Coltrane, and then moved to New York in 1973 to study at the Manhattan School of Music. Quickly gravitating to the then burgeoning downtown scene, Arthur wrote and performed his minimal compositions (captured on Instrumentals and Tower Of Meaning. Both to be re-issued by Audika) and collaborated with a who’s who of some of New York’s most influential artists including Rhy’s Chatham, Ernie Brooks, David Byrne, Phillip Glass, Laurie Anderson, Jon Gibson, Robert Wilson, Christian Wolff, John Cage, Arnold Dreyblatt, and Phill Niblock.
It then changed by a mere accident. Simply, he went to a disco. Inspired by the sonic repetition and sense of community, Arthur wrote and recorded some of the most important records of the disco era including ‘Kiss Me Again’, ‘Is It All Over My Face’, and co-founded Sleeping Bag Records with partner Will Socolov releasing ‘Go Bang’ and the album 24-24 Music. In 2002 Audika Records entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with the estate of Arthur Russell to issue previously unreleased and out of print material from Arthur’s vast archive. The first album Calling Out Of Context , features 12 previously unreleased tracks recorded during Arthur’s prime years 1985-90. The material is drawn from Corn, an album that was completed in 1985 but never released, and an abandoned album recorded for Rough Trade as Arthur had become ill. Many of these tracks show hidden sides of Arthur’s talent and underline the loss of his great potential. Contrary by nature, Arthur’s spontaneous reaction and altered perception to his environment produced music that remains challenging and contemporary. Arthur’s open hearted attitude to music was far ahead of it’s time, and now that time is ours.”
Buy here: bit.ly/2jkL9TY

[@axaide4210]

the way he breaks his voice when he says arms >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> everything else in this universe

[@johnlyon326]

3am and I'm awake again. Radio on low but I'm listening intently to someone who turns out to be AR's biographer, Tim Lawrence, talk about aspects of his life, and I find it compelling. Bought the book, haven't read it yet but I haunt these posts wondering how I managed to live through the1980s without having heard (of) him before this.

[@ashleymonday298]

His voice makes you feel like he has reached into your chest with an ethereal arm and is stroking your heart.

[@rightweaponry908]

I swear i was just trying to put this into words, whenever i listen to his music i always feel suddenly aware of my heart

[@philharrison9893]

This song sounds like coming up on a pill, surrounded by all your favourite people in the world.

[@bjarnhedur]

one of the most beautiful songs ever made by the most talented, genuine and ahead of his time artist we'll ever have the pleasure of hearing

[@brendanminter2166]

Came here through the Economist, if you can believe that. Amazing.

[@sunsaengnim6880]

Dope, this could have been released at any stage in the last 40 years and still sound completely new.

[@motionsuggests]

This song sounds like love itself

[@FRENCHYB2B]

Love that comment ❤️

[@hellodolly2551]

One million listens later and I still get emotional every time it comes on shuffle

[@rey82rey82]

Sublime

[@patricialangley5143]

I arrived here thanks to Yannis Philippaskis..I understand why I wasnt aware of him in the 90s but quite frankly I wouldnt have appreciared it then.Its genious so glad Iv found him and what an interseting sad history.The internet had brought so much great music to me like this.

[@ashleymonday298]

Arthur Russell was a true genius and I feel him through his music more than any other artist. Arthur was Arthur, and classifiable only as that. I love you Arthur, wherever you may be.

[@pzuppardo1]

Talent like this is just so rare

[@shadowct6]

Discovered this because of Spotify, specifically after listen to a Grouper's album.

[@videocurcuits]

drum programming on this is so good

[@neptunedarling]

He was a music god.

[@AR-br1cw]

woof!

[@chantalchalecky6839]

This had to have influenced music just by existing. So ahead of his time in the midst of it hanging out with Ginsberg and beyond it just being so incredibly himself. I cant lie and say I absolutely love it all but I totally respect it. What year would this have been? I know he died in '92.

[@bjarnhedur]

hard to say. maybe 1979?

[@FRENCHYB2B]

Just incredible 👌🏻 Gets me every time!

[@thedarknight5714]

One of his best

[@howlerchj]

Such a beautiful track

[@AR-br1cw]

this was a good one

[@housinauthority5258]

Brilliant track

[@WillemWolfe]

i say we round up the 7 people that didnt like this song and force them to listen to it until thay thumb it up.

[@ChrisWilliams-hs3jm]

Wonderful.

[@BenMacAdam]

yes please

[@moshai15]

high maintenance brought me here.

[@markrutte5637]

SHROOMS

[@cosmicfutures1111]

if ya know ya know, much love peeps

[@parisd9296]

~boop~

[@pollo8296]

first

[@johncrouse6171]

Another dimension

[@fritz3802]

I mean this is a great song but, maybe it’s just my weird mind but it’s such a strange topic to write a song about

[@JSteelWoodTV]

He just had to cheat on his bf and die from Aids (literally) :(

[@terrynoel1267]

Un giorno capiremo ma già godo abbastanza