Landmark unreleased sessions with funk queen Betty Davis!

Remastered from the original analog tapes
Production by Miles Davis & Teo Macero with performances from Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Jimi Hendrix Experience's Mitch Mitchell, and more!

New interviews, rare photos and unseen historical documents from the Teo Macero archive

One can hardly imagine Prince, Erykah Badu, or Outkast without the influence of Betty Davis. Her style of raw and revelatory punk-funk defies any notions that women can't be visionaries in the worlds of rock and pop. In recent years, rappers from Ice Cube to Talib Kweli have rhymed over her intensely strong but sensual music. Betty penned the song "Uptown" for The Chambers Brothers and wrote the tunes that got The Commodores signed to Motown. The Detroit label soon came calling, pitching a Motown songwriting deal, which Betty turned down.

Motown wanted to own everything. Heading to the U.K., Marc Bolan of T. Rex urged the creative dynamo to start writing for herself. Betty's unbending DIY ethic made her quickly turn down anyone who didn't fit with the vision. She would eventually say no to Eric Clapton as her album producer, seeing him as too banal. In 1968, she married Miles Davis and quickly influenced him on the magic of psychedelic rock along with introducing him to Jimi Hendrix-personally inspiring the classic album, Bitches Brew. For nearly half a century, rumors have circulated about a historic session recorded in 1969 at Columbia's 52nd Street Studios in NYC. If it took place, it would have been the historic first collision of Miles' jazz and Jimi Hendrix's psychedelia — all under the leadership of funk queen Davis.

Light In The Attic Records is thrilled to announce that the rumors are true. The Columbia Years 1968-1969 are historic sessions — never heard, never bootlegged — predating Miles' revolutionary album, Bitches Brew, and are the true birth of Miles' jazz-rock explorations, along with the roots for Betty's groundbreaking funk that came years later, starting with her self-titled debut in 1973. While, ultimately, these recordings would go unreleased for nearly half a century, they would greatly shape each of the artists' careers.

The vibe is intrinsically unique, fresh, and futuristic-jazz heavyweights playing psychedelia, rock, and jazz-fusion long before the term became commonplace. The songs include Betty originals and covers of classics by Creedence and Cream. The concepts explored on these previously unheard sessions fueled concepts that wouldn't be fully realized until years later with Miles' seminal On The Corner.

Additionally, included here is the first-time rerelease of a 1968 Columbia single, recorded in October 1968 at Columbia Studios in Los Angeles. The session was produced by Jerry Fuller and featured South African maverick Hugh Masekela on trumpet and arrangements, plus members of jazz-funk pioneers The Crusaders — including trombonist Wayne Henderson and pianist Joe Sample. Two of the three tracks included here from this session are previously unreleased.

This deluxe package is a treasure trove for both Betty and Miles fans, including rare documents from the pen of co-producer Teo Macero, rarely seen photos from legendary photographer Baron Wolman, and new interviews with Mrs. Davis herself, Harvey Brooks, and Hugh Masekela — the entire project overseen with Betty's full blessing.

Track Listing
Side 1
Hangin’ Out
Politician Man
Down Home Girl

Side 2
Born On The Bayou
I’m Ready, Willing & Able (Take 1)
I’m Ready, Willing & Able (Take 9)
It’s My Life (Alternate Take)
Live, Love, Learn
My Soul Is Tired