The rumours are true: Queen of Funk Betty Davis‘ never-before-heard long lost recording sessions The Columbia Years have just been released. No beating around the bush – this is huge.
For the uninitiated, Betty Davis is a living legend. Maybe one of these will jog your memory, and if not, they’ll surely make you fall in love:
The sessions, largely recorded at Columbia’s 52 Street Studios in NYC from 1968 – 1969 feature the talents of legends such as Miles Davis and Teo Macero on production, the legendary John McLaughlin, even more legendary Herbie Hancock, Mitch Mitchell (drummer for The Jimi Hendrix Experience), and Harvey Brooks (Miles/Dylan session bassist). One session included in the set features Hugh Masekela and The Crusaders, and took place over on the West Coast in LA. Band Of Gypsy’s Billy Cox, as well as saxophonist Wayne Shorter and organist Larry Young also make an appearance. Watch the trailer for the sessions below:
The Columbia Years 1968 – 1969 sessions are indisputably iconic – a game-changing marriage of funk and psychedelia that lay the groundwork for Betty Davis’ later work, including her self-titled debut and followup album They Say I’m Different. The sessions also mark the start of a journey that would eventually lead Miles Davis to record the ever-iconic Bitches Brew.
This is a pretty significant piece of musical history, so if you’re keen to own a slice of it, you can purchase the sessions on black wax or CD via Light In The Attic Records [via Inertia] here.
Image: Light In The Attic Records via Inertia