Cellist, avant-garde composer and pioneering dance producer Arthur Russell (aka Dinosaur) debuted on the New York club scene with his first 12" release, 'Kiss Me Again', in 1978.
From then until his death in 1996 he straddled the musical spectrum, recording both experimental compositions and pop dance records, gaining a following amongst both the Big Apple's hedonistic club scene and the highbrow art school set.
There is no doubting the breadth of his influence and you only have to consider that a young David Byrne played guitar on 'Kiss Me Again' to begin to grasp his impact on a wealth of Eighties pioneers such as Talking Heads, Visage and Grace Jones.
Towards the end of his life Russell was signed in the UK to Rough Trade and 'Calling Out Of Context' represents the last five years of Russell's work for the label.
Its release has been timed to coincide with current revival of acts such as Liquid Liquid, ESG, Japan and Devo, which on paper should have been a very good idea. Sadly 'Calling…' isn't up to the job.
Part of the problem is that although Phillip Glass once said Arthur Russell could make the cello sing, Russell was not great a singer himself and the music here is let down by the ubiquitous addition of Howard Jones or Gerry Rafferty style vocals.
There are moments, such as on 'I Like You', but sadly these glimpses are often brief, like the incidental 'Deer In the Forest', or submerged by the lyrics – such as on the unwisely titled 'Calling All Kids'.
'Calling…' is a timely spotlight on Russell, but good timing doesn't always constitute a good idea.
