Mon 11 Jul 2016 to Sun 17 Jul 2016

by Betty Davis


Betty Davis The Columbia Years 1968-1969 (PBS feature record)

Fans of all things nastay rejoiced when early demo sessions by the legendary funk diva Betty Davis were discovered in the vaults of Columbia records. Produced by Betty’s then-husband Miles Davis, these recordings give a fascinating insight into the still-developing sound that would become one of the most soul-scorching voices of 70s funk. With an all-star cast of session players, including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin and Hugh Masekela, these tracks are not as out there as you might expect, definely slanted towards stomping vamps and insistent rock riffage rather than mind-expanding jazz explorations.

‘Policitican’ is a highlight, sounding like proto-Badu with its restless wonky bassline and relentless backbeat. ‘It’s My Life’ features a lively horn arrangement, and her take on Credence’s ‘Born on the Bayou’ transforms it into a bubbling boogaloo. ‘Live Love Learn’ is the schmaltziest cut, giving a glimpse of a parallel universe where Betty chose the sweet soul path, rather than the trash-talking freak. Miles' trademark rasp can be heard commenting from the control room the end of some tracks, giving the sense he was keeping the musicians on a tight leash.

For an artist whose oeuvre is relatively small compared to some of her contemporaries, this collection is a welcome addition to your Betty shelf.

Review by Adam Rudegeair (Black Wax)

The Metronomes Going Somewhere (Featured on The Breakfast Spread

The Metronomes don't do things flippantly. Their fourth full length record comes 12 years since their last one. Honed and meticulously crafted this a beautiful exploration of the intersections of experimental and pop music. The album is built around improv jams that took place over 4 years in a bunch of different locations. The studio and computer work that has been done since has given the record a great sense of cohesion. Opener "Somebody There" slinks in oozing menace and sets the mood for what's to come. The synth, drum machine and bass guitar are perfectly measured - there's barely a note wasted anywhere on the record. Tracks unfurl at their own pace and reward intent listening. In an unlikely fashion this album has a lot in common with last week's Breakfast Spread feature from Orb.

It Records have championed a flourishing strain of noisy post-punk and goth groups for the last couple of years in Melbourne. The release of The Metronomes retrospective Early Work - Keeping Time: 1979-83 in 2014 was the perfect compliment to the work of their contemporary charges. To have the old masters of minimal wave back making new music is a whole other world of excellence. Super limited run on vinyl and CD means that these will be gone like proverbial hotcakes. Don't sleep on it yeah??

Review by Nick Brown (The Breakfast Spread)


This week's Top 10:

Betty Davis - The Columbia Years 1968-1969
The Metronomes - Going Somewhere
Aphex Twin - Cheetah EP
Various Artists – Sky Girl: Compiled by Julien Dechery and DJ Sundae
Bjork - Vulnicura Live
Paul Williamson Quartet - Live at Uptown
GL - Touch
Lina Tullgren - Wishlist EP
The Julie Ruin - Hit Reset
Big Thief - Masterpiece




https://www.pbsfm.org.au/sites/default/files/images/Betty%20Davis%20PBS.jpg