Light in the Attic Records has released a collection of rarities by funk singer Betty Davis in a collection titled The Columbia Years 1968-1968, released on June 28.
The album highlights sessions Betty Davis recorded at Columbia Record’s 52nd Street Studios in New York on May 14 and May 20, 1969. Produced by her then-husband Miles Davis and Teo Macero, the sessions feature the vocalist alongside such artists as guitarist John McLaughlin, pianist Herbie Hancock and bassist Harvey Brooks. Other players during the session include drummer Mitch Mitchell, bassist Billy Cox, saxophonist Wayne Shorter and organist Larry Young. The recordings fuse together psychedelic elements of jazz, rock and funk, predating Miles Davis’ celebrated Bitches Brew release, also produced by Teo Macero and subsequently released in 1970.
In addition, The Columbia Years includes material from a 1968 recording session teaming Betty Davis with trumpeter Hugh Masekela and members of the fusion group The Crusaders.
For more information, go to http://lightintheattic.net/