Arthur Russell – Open Vocal Phrases, Where Songs Come (2LP, Japan Edition Vinyl With Obi)

Vinyl LP record

Experimental, disco, garage, pop, folk... Arthur Russell was a genius and maverick who roamed the leftfield with boundless energy. He left behind numerous legends in the NY underground scene of the 1970s and 80s, and after his death from AIDS in 1992, his exceptional talent was once again brought into the spotlight. His avant-garde and experimental works have been found in numerous reissues and compilations, as well as in books and films, and his musicality, and indeed his very being, continues to influence the world through a wide range of media.
This album is no exception, containing unreleased tracks as well as tracks that were released only on cassette and digitally in 2020. Furthermore, since these tracks are two solo live performances that formed the basis of Arthur Russell's signature work and masterpiece, "World of Echo," this is an essential album for further understanding his aesthetic sensibilities.
Phil Niblock, a master of experimental music in New York and a pioneer of minimalist drone music, co-planned and produced this album with Arthur Russell. Recorded at Experimental Intermedia (an avant-garde music foundation based in New York, directed by Phil), the album features two unedited solo performances by Arthur Russell: "SKETCHES FOR WORLD OF ECHO" from 1984 and "OPEN VOCAL PHRASES WHERE SONGS COME IN AND OUT" from 1985.

These two performance recordings formed the basis for "World of Echo,"...