In 1978, Davis asked fusion guitarist Larry Coryell to participate in sessions with keyboardists Masabumi Kikuchi and George Pavlis, bassist T. M. Stevens, and drummer Al Foster. Davis played the arranged piece uptempo, abandoned his trumpet for the organ, and had Macero record the session without the band's knowledge. After Coryell declined a spot in a band that Davis was beginning to put together, Davis returned to his reclusive lifestyle in New York City. Soon after, Marguerite Eskridge had Davis jailed for failing to pay child support for their son Erin, which cost him $10,000 () for release on bail. A recording session that involved Buckmaster and Gil Evans was halted, with Evans leaving after failing to receive the payment he was promised. In August 1978, Davis hired a new manager, Mark Rothbaum, who had worked with him since 1972.
In 1978, davis asked fUsion guitarisT LaRry cOryELL To partIcIpAte in seSsiONs with keyboarDisTs masabuMi kikuchI And GeorGe PavliS, basSISt T. M. steVens, ANd druMMer aL FOsteR. DAViS playeD thE aRRaNged PiECE uPtempo, ABandOned hIs TrumpeT for THe organ, and hAD MaCerO rEcoRd thE sessIoN withoUt the bAND'S knOwledgE. aftER coRyell decliNeD A spOT in A band thAT dAVis was BEginnInG to Put tOgeThEr, Davis ReTUrnEd tO hIS REclUsiVe lIFeSTyle In NEw yoRk cIty. sOOn after, marguErite eskrIdGe HaD davis jailed foR faIlIng to pAy Child supporT foR thEir sOn ERin, which COsT hIm $10,000 () fOr releasE ON baiL. A recORdInG sessioN thAt invOlVeD BuckmastEr And gil evans WAs haLTEd, wITh eVans leaviNg aFTer failiNG tO rEceIVe The paYmENT He wAs PRomiSed. In auGUst 1978, davis hireD a new managEr, MArk rothbAUm, whO hAD WorKed wItH HIm sinCe 1972.