• First time on vinyl. Newly remastered
• 1xLP pressed on three color variants
• Clear Purple Crush Vinyl
• Transparent Red Vinyl (Retail Edition)
• Classic Black Vinyl
• Vinyl pressed at RTI
• Housed in a Gatefold Jacket
• Booklet features new liner notes by Danielle Maggio interviewing Betty, plus unseen photos and lyrics
• Featuring Herbie Hancock, Martha Reeves, Alphonse Mouzon, Chuck Rainey, Patryce “Choc’let” Banks, Carlos Morales, and members of The Pointer Sisters

In the 1970s, Betty Davis defied genre and gender by pushing her voice to extremes and embracing the erotic. She articulated a kind of pre-punk, funk-blues fusion that had yet to be normalized in mainstream music - a style that few musicians have come close to replicating. As one of the first Black women to write, arrange, and produce her own albums, Betty was a visionary who disregarded industry boundaries and constraints. Raw, unapologetic, and in full control, Betty paved the way for generations of future artists who said “funk you” to the music industry and social norms.

In 1979, when Davis entered an L.A. studio to record her fifth and final album, she was reeling from a series of setbacks. Three years earlier, after recording her fourth album, Is It Love Or Desire, Davis was dropped from her label, and the LP was subsequently shelved. In 1978, her beloved band Funk House went their separate ways. Looking for a fresh start, Davis relocated to Hollywood to focus on songwriting. Before long, British manager Simon Lait (Toni Basil), offered to fund her next project.

With renewed vigor, Davis reunited with former Funk House guitarist Carlos Morales and brought together industry veterans like fusion drummer Alphonse Mouzon and session bassist Chuck Rainey. Old friends Anita and Bonnie Pointer (The Pointer Sisters) and Patryce “Choc’let” Banks joined Davis on vocals, as did Motown legend Martha Reeves. The resulting album, Crashin’ From Passion, was her most musically diverse, blending elements of reggae and calypso (“I’ve Danced Before”), jazz (“Hangin’ Out in Hollywood,” “Tell Me a Few Things”), dark synth-pop (“She’s a Woman”), and even disco (“All I Do Is Think of You”). Equally exploratory are Davis’ vocals, as she trades in her signature sass and snarls for more nuanced stylings.

Among the album’s few funk tracks is “Quintessence of Hip,” in which Davis hails musicians like Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder, and John Coltrane, while deftly integrating elements of their work. The song also offers a moment of stark vulnerability, as she sings, “Isn’t rich? Isn’t it queer? Losing my timing so late in my career.” It would prove to be a prophetic line in the months to follow.

The mixing process was mired by artistic differences and then cut short, amid the death of Davis’ beloved father. Bereft and exasperated, Davis returned home for the funeral, setting into motion her retirement from the music industry. Crashin’ From Passion, meanwhile, would be shelved for 15 years and licensed for a CD-only release, without Davis’ consent, in the ‘90s. This 2023 edition of the album, made with Davis’ full approval and cooperation, marks its first official release and first time ever on vinyl. The package was designed by GRAMMY®-winning artist, Masaki Koike, while the album cover features an incredible shot of Betty captured in London in the mid-1970s by renowned photographer Kate Simon.

Crashin’ From Passion was remastered by Grammy-nominated engineer Dave Cooley at Elysian Masters and pressed on vinyl at Record Technology, Inc. (RTI). The accompanying booklet includes a treasure trove of rare photos from the era, plus lyrics, and new liner notes by writer, ethnomusicologist, and Betty’s close friend, Danielle Maggio, who integrates interviews that she conducted with Davis, marking her last ever interviews.

Betty Davis, born on July 26, 1945, was an American funk, soul, and rock singer-songwriter who played a pioneering role in shaping the landscape of music during the 1960s and 1970s. With a powerful voice and an unapologetically bold stage presence, Davis defied musical norms, creating a unique and influential body of work.

Known for her collaborations with musicians like Miles Davis, whom she married in 1968, Betty Davis released several groundbreaking albums in the early 1970s. Her self-titled debut album, "Betty Davis," and subsequent releases such as "They Say I'm Different" and "Nasty Gal" showcased her fearless approach to blending genres, incorporating elements of funk, rock, and soul.

Davis's lyrics were provocative and liberating, addressing themes of sexuality, empowerment, and social justice. Her impact on the funk genre was profound, influencing future generations of musicians. Despite facing challenges and controversies, Davis's contributions to music and her unapologetic expression of individuality have earned her a revered place in musical history.

After stepping away from the music scene in the late 1970s, Betty Davis's work experienced a renaissance in the 21st century as new audiences rediscovered her innovative sound and lyrical honesty.

Betty Davis passed away on February 9, 2022, but her legacy as a trailblazer in funk and soul endures, inspiring artists across genres.

Studio Albums

• Betty Davis - 1973
• They Say I'm Different - 1974
• Nasty Gal - 1975
• Is It Love or Desire? - 2009

Singles

• "The Cellar"/"???" - 1963
• "Get Ready for Betty" / "I'm Gonna Get My Baby Back" - 1964
• "It's My Life" / "Live, Love, Learn" - 1968
• "If I'm in Luck I Might Get Picked Up" / "Steppin in Her I. Miller Shoes" - 1973
• "Ooh Yea" / "In the Meantime" - 1973
• "Shoo-B-Doop and Cop Him" / "He Was a Big Freak" - 1974
• "Git in There" /"They Say I'm Different" - 1974
• "Shut Off the Lights" / "He Was a Big Freak" - 1975

Compilations

• The Columbia Years 1968-69 - 2016

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Davis