50 years removed from Betty Davis’ self-titled 1973 debut, Light in the Attic is reissuing four albums worth of the late funk and fashion icon’s musical output. The releases include Davis’ debut, 1974’s They Say I’m Different, Is It Love or Desire? (which was recorded in 1976 but first released in 2009), and Crashin’ From Passion, the unreleased product of Davis’ final 1979 studio sessions. Davis collaborated on all four reissues before her death last year. They’re due out August 25. Check out a trailer for the reissues and the title track from Crashin’ From Passion below.
The reissues of Betty Davis, They Say I’m Different, and Crashin’ From Passion include booklets comprising rare photos from the era, lyrics, and new liner notes (containing Davis’ final interviews) by Davis’ close friend, the writer and ethnomusicologist Danielle Maggio. Is It Love or Desire? includes liner notes from journalist, DJ, and professor Oliver Wang.
In 2019, Davis shared “A Little Bit Hot Tonight,” a song she wrote, arranged, and produced with local musicians in her hometown of Pittsburgh and featuring Maggio on vocals. The previous year, Light in the Attic reissued Davis’ 1975 album, Nasty Gal.
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