In the world of disco, it's seldom that you'll find an artist like Arthur Russell. Here's a little background on this leftfield disco master: He studied cello, then Indian Music at the Ali Akbar Khan School in SF, accompanied legendary beat poets like Allen Ginsberg, worked with large bands with musicians like David Byrne, and went to produce some of disco's finest works. In 1979, he produced Sire Records' first two hits, Dinosaur's "Kiss Me Again" and Loose Joint's "Is It All Over My Face?" before starting his own label, Sleeping Bag Records. This album is a prestine repress of their first album, Dinosaur L's 24-->24 Music, capturing all the creativity and energy of Russell's earliest works with dance music. Listen to "Clean On Your Bean #1(1)" and hear how modern the production is. The reverbed slap bass intro, the new wave horns, the eerie chords, and the addictively strange hook is the envy of many producers today. The line in his hit "Go Bang! (Thank You Arthur Edit)(2)" summarizes the energy of the early 80's disco/new wave scene, "I wanna see all my friends at once, I'll do anything to get a chance to Go Bang! I wanna Go Bang!" Pure genius. Also check his more experimental jams "#7(3)," "#3 (in The Corn Belt)(4)," for a taste of his wilder side. Also includes the "#5 Go Bang! (Francois K Mix)(5) and "In The Corn Belt (Larry Levan Mix)(6)" where you have two key NY DJ's giving their unique versions. Pretty much a must have for any fan. Highly recommended.

reviewed by C'mish