Master Mix: Red Hot + Arthur Russell

We've been waiting ages for Arthur Russell's musical legacy to enjoy some shine, so perhaps this compilation will do the trick. A fascinating figure, Russell was a classically trained Iowa musician who found his feet in New York's experimental and disco scenes, but who also had a fine ear for avant-garde pop and folky ballads. The diversity of this catalogue means the album stretches from Hot Chip's funk rip on Go Bang to Robyn turning Tell You (Today) into a gleeful pop hurrah.

Dev Hynes comes closest to the spirit of Russell in his effort to blend Is It All Over My Face? and Tower of Meaning. Elsewhere, there's too much respect on show from José González, Glen Hansard and The Autumn Defense, all of whom are polite in their approach to the songs. Russell, you feel, would be less conservative about the task.

[ yeproc.com  ]