Betty Davis: Betty Davis (180g) Vinyl LP

Betty Davis is a landmark figure in funk music, the stylistic forerunner of all self-proclaimed "freaky b*tches" out there today. She was a model who had her first song published before she was twenty ("Uptown" by the Chambers Brothers) and went on to marry, and divorce, Miles Davis before she was 25. She turned Miles on to electric funk (he named several compositions for her) and was tight with Hendrix and Sly & the Family Stone. Their influences are all over her music and in fact much of her band came from the Sly/Graham Central Station crew. The sound is early 70's Bay Area hard funk, meaning rugged drums (courtesy of Gregg Errico) and acid-tinged guitar (Neal Schon!), that provide many an open break and generally work it all the way through. Her scorching vocals may take a little getting used to for some, but are the perfect match for her bad ass lyrics. This is her first album, and contains what may be her best tune, "Anti Love Song." Sampled aplenty (ol' heads might remember Godfather Don's "Piece of the Action") and essential for any Valentines gig. "If I'm In Luck I Might Get Picked Up" demonstrates she just didn't give a F long before Marshall. Also take a listen to her on "Game Is My Middle Name" and "Steppin In Her I Miller Shoes." This record has a bit more of a rocked out flavor than the next, but Betty Davis' over the top attitude carries the weight easily. 8 tracks total on deluxe 180 gram vinyl with fully remastered sound from the original tapes. First time vinyl reissue courtesy of LITA. 

• 180g black vinyl pressing
  
• remastered from the original tapes
• original release year: 1973
• music label: Light In The Attic 2007

reviewed by Monk 09/2016