Loose Joints

New York City based (via Iowa) composer/producer/multi-instrumentalist Arthur Russell was the key instigator behind several short-lived ad hoc outfits in the late '70s and early '80s that put his unique avant-garde spin on disco. None of them became as popular as he had hoped, but each of them has survived the test of time by becoming influential to house and garage, two of the strains of dance music that disco has helped spawn. After Russell released Sire's first disco single in 1979 as Dinosaur, he started Loose Joints and produced the 1980 single "Is It All Over My Face?" for West End. Another version of the single was released later in the year, featuring a remix from supportive DJ/legend Larry Levan. Russell resurrected Loose Joints three years later for "Tell You (Today)," which was released on 4th & Broadway. It should also be noted that Loose Joints featured the same lineup as Dinosaur L (a group that released a 1982 LP on Russell's Sleeping Bag imprint), featuring the Ingram Brothers as the rhythm section. ~ Andy Kellman