In recent years a lot of attention has been paid to downtown musician and 'avant' disco pioneer Arthur Russell.  Russell's life and work is becoming accessible to a new generation as much of his previously unpublished and unavailable music is released by Audika (a recording label founded by Steve Knutson solely for the purpose of archiving and distributing Russell's work), and contemporary musicians such as Nick Hallett and the group Arthur's Landing have performed their own renditions of Russell's songs to great acclaim. This past year saw the release of a biopic about Russell's life and music, Wild Combination directed by Matt Wolf. And November sees the release of Russell's biography by music scholar and critic Tim Lawrence, whose previous book, Loves Saves the Day, chronicles New York "Garage" culture in the late 1970s, a culture of which Russell was not only a product, but a crucial player, participant, and progenitor.

As someone unapologetically devoted to Russell's music and ethos, the release of the aforementioned materials is music to my ears. Arthur Russell is for me on par with the best poets and artists of the 20th century, transcending such a distinguished company through his work that spans disciplines, genres, styles, and, perhaps most importantly, cultural locations.