Arthur Russell, whose music was used as the score of Keep the Lights On, was an artist who defied genre. A gifted cellist and composer, his oeuvre ranges from minimalist compositions to beat-heavy disco songs and just about everything in between. But no matter what genre-bending song of Russell’s you happen to be listening to, his talent and his penchant for exploration are made abundantly clear. These selections aim to convey the wide range of both sounds and emotions Russell was able to call upon in his own music as well as provide a context to the acts he associated and/or collaborated with. These songs (with the exception of the last one) are more upbeat than one might expect from Arthur Russell and seem particularly appropriate as summer comes closer.
Dinosaur L – Go Bang (1982)
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A hip, infectious acid-jazz groove from one of Arthur Russell’s countless monikers with vocal contributions from minimalist composer Julius Eastman.
Loose Joints – Tell You Today (1983)
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An upbeat pop gem from the collaboration of Russell and renowned New York DJ Steve D’Aquisto.
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