Betty Davis was ahead of her time musically as well as a performer.

She was a friend of Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone - and was married to Miles Davis, a genius, with an inherent complex personality that resulted in a love and hate relationship.

All this artistic sophistication and intriguing human interconnections are unfortunately poorly exposed in the documentary.

Growing up in the time period when funk artists Betty Davis was at her peak I can't say I recall ever listening to her. But I do recall seeing the ads and posters for her albums. It was a time when more straight forward commercial friendly disco music was being played on the radio. But that doesn't mean she didn't have an effect of influence those who followed.

BETTY: THEY SAY I'M DIFFERENT is a documentary about the life and music of performer Davis. Born Betty Mabry she moved into modeling and from their met jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. They married in 1968 and during that brief marriage she influenced him heavily. But the marriage only lasted a year.

She had recorded an album earlier in her career and also penned the song "Uptown (to Harlem)" for the Chambers Brothers in 1967. But it wasn't until 1973 when she began recording and creating her own albums worth notice with the release of her self-titled LP. A screeching style of singing, a guttural explosion of vocals, Betty was known for her the frankness of her sexuality which she put into her lyrics as well as her live performances. Due to her openness about her sexuality her records were rarely played on the radio as they received pressure from religious groups not to do so.

Not much is known about her life but film maker Philip Cox finds those who knew and worked with Betty to discover what can be found about the woman behind the controversial performances, lyrics and album covers. They each provide a different perspective of the woman herself, from longtime friends to those who worked with her in recording her albums. One of the most touching moments in the film is when her old backing band are together talking and they call her up to talk to her and tell her they're ready to get going again whenever she wants.

Betty herself remains enigmatic, never appearing on screen but heard in interviews and phone calls. Having retired from the limelight in 1979 she's live alone in Philadelphia in peace and quiet. Watching the film and listening to her makes you wonder what would have happened had she carried on. Even though she hasn't her influence can be found in the performances and sounds that have followed in her footsteps.

The movie is an interesting documentary and one that fans of funk and music will enjoy as they learn more about the woman named Betty Davis. If you're like me you'll pop up Spotify, Amazon Music or whatever listening system you choose to hear what her music was all about. Hopefully you'll discover something you never knew you were missing. In the meantime this film is a nice introduction to be enjoyed by all.

Now I can't get enough. Well made documentary. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. I was left wanting more because I had never heard of her and now I'm in awe of her brilliant forward thinking music and style.