Betty Davis
The Age
Friday June 22, 2007
Betty Davis
Betty Davis (Light in the Attic/Creative Vibes) 4/5Betty Davis was married to jazz master Miles Davis for just one year (1968-69) but in that time introduced Miles to Jimi Hendrix and inspired his classic jazz-fusion LP Bitches Brew. With Miles unable to tame Betty's wild ways, the couple split and she released the first of her three albums in 1973. Writing and arranging everything herself and augmented by Sly Stone's rhythm section, the Pointer Sisters and future disco star Sylvester, Betty Davis is an incredibly progressive and potent hard-funk record. Tracks such as Game Is My Middle Name, If I'm in Luck I Might Get Picked Up and Your Man My Man flaunted her sexuality (and scared off conservative early '70s radio), and classic funk doesn't get much heavier than the supercharged Ooh Yea and hard-rocking Stepping in Her I. Miller Shoes. Betty Davis was a woman ahead of her time and has become a cult figure among funk aficionados, influencing artists such as Macy Gray, Peaches, Spektrum's Lola Olafisoye, Fishbone, Grace Jones, Kelis and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. This first reissue of her music is long overdue. -- ANDREW DREVER
© 2007 The Age