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ARTHUR RUSSELL - First Thought Best Thought

ARTHUR RUSSELL - First Thought Best Thought
Rough Trade
2CD // £13.99
HOME LISTENING / MODERN CLASSICAL / AMBIENT
Released: Mar 2008
Catalogue Number: RTRADCD310
Estimated time of shipping: 1-3 days

ARTHUR RUSSELL - First Thought Best Thought, Rough Trade

Back in stock! Audika continue their essential archive uncovering program for the seminal Arthur Russell with this set of instrumental work dating from 1975 to the early 80's. This glorious double CD set starts with a previously unissued volume of instrumentals from 1975 with a nine piece band that features Jon Gibson and Rhys Chatham on flute (!), with Arthur Russell on electric cello. This music provides the same electric sensation as early Velvet's and that whole freeform noise scene (John Cale, La Monte Young, Tony Conrad) - though where those musicians soared through the distorted wails of distressed angels this music speaks of hope and the feeling of belonging. This music is an utterly joyful, semi-freeform exploration of avant-pop and americana, decades before such terms would catch on. The second volume (as previously issued on an obscure french label) continues the wondrous flow of music, only this time there is an added chamber romanticism that works perfectly. Finally on the first disk is a stellar dual fender rhodes piece as performed by Beth Anderson and Dan Salmon, a wondrous track that moves like a busy Morton Feldman composition but with the warmth of tone you might relate to Bill Evans. The second disk features the whole of the Chatham Sq album 'Tower Of Meaning' as conducted by Julius Eastman. Again concentrating on horn work, analogue synths and cello runs it's a crushingly beautiful journey lasting 45 mins, taking in the influence of early 20th century american composers such as Aaron Copeland while also embracing the future of free spirited composition, making for a completely unique sensation. The set finishes with a raw unfiltered piece that has Arthur Russell on keyboard, tone generator and tugboat! - a piece that suggests what might have occured if the Radiophonic Workshop let their academic flourishes cease, instead embracing a deep soulful electronic aura. Truly amazing music - adding weight to the theory that there will never be another musician like Arthur Russell, a man whose musical legacy we can barely quantify our love and respect for.

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