In the first of a series of releases, Arthur Russell’s acclaimed albums ‘World of Echo’ and ‘Iowa Dream’ will be released on vinyl and CD November 26th . “Calling Out of Context” and “Instrumentals” will follow in early 2022 with more titles forthcoming.
Rough Trade originally released ‘World of Echo’ in 1986 and the album was subsequently reissued and remastered by Audika to include previously unreleased material in 2005. ‘World of Echo’ is Arthur’s most extraordinary work, a deeply intimate and meditative collection of awe-inspiring beauty. Arthur Russell’s stated aim at the time was to achieve what he termed “the most vivid rhythmic reality”, using just cello, voice and echoes. ‘World of Echo’ has become a classic, influencing new generations of musicians and listeners.
Recorded in the early 70s through mid-80s Iowa Dream is a collection of demos, home recordings and lost songs. Compiled by Audika founder Steve Knutson and Arthur’s partner Tom Lee, Iowa Dream offers the first glimpses of Arthur as a folk & pop songwriter. The nineteen tracks include demo material recorded for both Paul Nelson and John Hammond along with a series of tracks that represent the influence that New York and its pop sounds had on Russell, pointing towards the dance and disco-avant-garde that he would make his own.
“When we started working with Arthur we had no idea he would turn out to be one of the seminal Artists of this century. We did know that his cello playing, his wonderful singing and his sensibility; melding modern classical with the Buddhist sense of space in the world, moved us deeply. We are proud to have helped push the boat out from the shore.”
Geoff Travis – Rough Trade Records
