The man who gave us “alternative disco” and so much more left the Earth 20 years ago on Wednesday. Even if he was little known during his lifetime, Arthur Russell’s influence as a musician and producer was wide and deep. (That wonderful song above forms the instrumental in the Diplo track “Icarus” and was recently the basis of a fine remix.) Just look at the stream of (unusually kind, loving) YouTube comments, like this one, from TbgO:on repeat. for days. without boredom. i am immersed. i am exhilarated. i have handed in a 5000 word paper in a week late because of this man. but i don’t care.
And the lyrics – so powerful when in the context of his battle with aids. Every step is about overcoming problems, of becoming wiser and more developed in our character. The video – a representation of how far humans can go, but also symbolic of how powers seek to extend their image towards a god-like status amongst atheist society. but we must remember that ‘every step is moving us up’ – the step does not have to be a great one for mankind, it can also be a personal one in the fight for life.That’s how you walk on the moon.
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