Miles Davis was an iconic jazz trumpeter and composer from Alton, Illinois. Not too long ago, his “Rubberband EP” was released via Rhino Records.
The 5-track project features 12-time Grammy nominee singer Ledisi on “Rubber of Life”. Also, it includes the original version of “Rubberband”, an instrumental, and a new remix by Amerigo Gazaway.
Miles Davis – “Rubberband of Life” feat. Ledisi
“It was fat grooves, really funky, Miles talking. It was street and funky and dirty. We didn’t go after writing a great jazz song. Miles wanted the street thing. He wanted the chord changes he wanted to play. The basis was to take it to the street like “On The Corner”. It was Miles taking more chances.” – Randy Hall
32 years after “Rubberband” was recorded, the original producers, Randy Hall, and Zane Giles teamed up with Miles Davis’ nephew, Vince Wilburn, Jr., to finish and update the title track.
Shortly afterward, they invited Ledisi (courtesy of Verve Label Group) to record guest vocals at the Village Studios in Los Angeles. Also, the sessions were co-produced by Anthony “Mac Nass” Loffman and Arthur Haynes for SmashSound Syndicate.
“Rubberband EP”
“Miles kept saying, ‘I don’t wanna do my usual stuff. I wanna do something different.’” – Zane Giles
In 1985, Miles Davis shocked the music world by moving from Columbia Records to Warner Bros. Records. Shortly afterward, he started recording “Rubberband”. This album marked a radical departure for him, with funk and soul grooves, and was to include vocals by Al Jarreau and Chaka Khan.
Produced by Davis, Randy Hall, and Zane Giles, the line-up boasted Davis on trumpet and keyboards. Also, keyboardists Adam Holzman, Neil Larsen, and Wayne Linsey. And percussionist Steve Reid, saxophonist Glen Burris, and Davis’ nephew Vince Wilburn Jr. on drums.
The Rubberband sessions took place at Ameraycan Studios in Los Angeles from October 1985 to January 1986. It was engineered by Reggie Dozier, brother of Lamont Dozier, part of the legendary Motown songwriting team. Check out Miles Davis’ “Rubberband EP” and let us know how you feel about it in the moment section below.
“Rubberband EP”
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