Star People was recorded between August and September 1982 at CBS Studios in New York, with a group that included John Scofield, Bill Evans (soprano and tenor saxophone), and drummer Al Foster. It is Miles Davis's first studio album after a period of inactivity due to health issues.
The album marks a transition towards a more funk and rock sound, with long improvisations and prominent use of synthesizer and wah-wah guitar. The title track, 'Star People', became a recurring theme in his concerts of the time.
Critical reception was mixed, but the album reached number 136 on the Billboard 200 chart. It is considered a minor work within his discography, though valued by followers of his late electric period.