Miles Davis‘ long lost Rubberband album will finally be released in September. 

In October of 1985, after leaving Columbia Records to join Warner Bros. Records, Davis began recording Rubberband at Los Angeles’ Ameraycan Studios with producers Randy Hall and Zane Giles. The musical direction he was taking during the sessions marked a radical departure, with the inclusion of funk and soul grooves as well as plans to feature powerhouse vocalists Al Jarreau and Chaka Khan. The album was eventually shelved, and Davis went on to record Tutu, leaving the Rubberband songs unheard and untouched for over 30 years. 

The famed trumpeter’s fans finally got a taste of the album last year with the release of a four-track Rubberband EP for Record Store Day. Rhino/Warner Records will now bring the entire 11-track album on September 6 on CD, LP, and digitally. 

Finished by the original producers Hall and Giles, and Davis’ nephew Vince Wilburn Jr., who played the drums on the original sessions for the album in 1985-86, the album also features newly recorded vocals from US singers Lalah Hathaway (daughter of soul legend Donny Hathaway) and the 12-time Grammy-nominated Ledisi.

Davis, who plays both trumpet and keyboards on the album, was joined in the studio by keyboardists Adam Holzman, Neil Larsen, and Wayne Linsey, percussionist Steve Reid, saxophonist Glen Burris, and Vince Wilburn, Jr. on drums. The sessions were engineered by Grammy-winner Reggie Dozier. 

Rubberband includes linear notes from George Cole, writer of “The Last Miles,” and features an original painting by Miles Davis as the cover art.

Tracklisting

01. Rubberband of Life feat. Ledisi

02. This Is It

03. Paradise

04. So Emotional feat. Lalah Hathaway

05. Give It Up

06. Maze

07. Carnival Time

08. I Love What We Make Together feat. Randy Hall

09. See I See

10. Echoes In Time/The Wrinkle

11. Rubberband

Rubberband LP lands September 6 via Rhino/Warner Records, with opener “Rubberband” of Life feat. Ledisi streaming here.