Betty Davis: Unearthing Her Hendrix & Miles Sessions

Newly uncovered studio sessions from May 1969 present a fascinating glimpse into Betty Davis' nascent sound, featuring her collaboration with members of Jimi Hendrix's band, including the Billy Cox/Mitch Mitchell rhythm section. These recordings also included revolutionary musicians from Miles Davis' electric period, such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, and Larry Young. The sessions, co-signed and directed by both Miles Davis and Betty Davis, aimed to explore a hybrid funk-rock vision, though the players were reportedly still finding their groove.

These sessions, happening less than a week apart, saw the musicians charging through Sly-esque funk-rock tracks like "Hangin' Out" and "I'm Ready, Willing & Able," a soulful Ike & Tina Revue-style rave-up ("Down Home Girl"), and covers of Cream and Creedence.

Betty Davis, who later married Miles Davis, was instrumental in his artistic evolution, introducing him to psychedelic rock giants like Jimi Hendrix, which directly influenced his seminal electric period. While these recordings serve as a prelude to her more iconoclastic solo work in the 1970s, they highlight her deep charisma and potential as a boundary-pushing artist in a less receptive era.