Buddy Miles has cast a large presence in rock history, but hes a large man, so maybe its not such a big surprise. Recruited by Mike Bloomfield out of Wilson Picketts backup band, Buddy joined the Electric Flag. In keeping with the times, the Electric Flag were psychedelic, heavy, funky, and bluesy, with jazz and world overtones tossed in for good measure. Miles would later recall it as the best band I ever played in, which is quite a recommendation, given his résumé. The Electric Flag shorted out after the first album, and co-founders Barry Goldberg and Mike Bloomfield departed.
Miles attempted to soldier on under the Electric Flag moniker, but a second album proved that to be unworkable, so he kept the horn section and formed the Buddy Miles Express. Their debut album, Expressway To Your Skull, had elements of Blood, Sweat and Tears, the JBs and Hendrix all jamming together on 12 inches of vinyl.
Speaking of Hendrix, Miles and Jimi had been pals since the days of the Monterey Pop Festival, so it was no surprise that Buddy was asked onboard for the Band of Gypsys project. The band debuted on New Years Eve 1970, and the lineup recorded a single album before Hendrixs untimely death. Miles has carried on in a variety of venues since, from a stint backing John McLaughlin, touring and recording with Santana, and giving voice to the California Raisins. In the post-Raisin era, he has led a band called the Blues Berries, recording one album in 2002.
