Seven Davis Jr.

Part of a freaky funk continuum that extends from Prince through Moodymann, Sa-Ra, and FunkinEven, Seven Davis Jr. is a producer and vocalist who flits between rugged house and left-of-center R&B. In 2012, he made his debut on Kutmah's Worldwide Family, Vol. 2 compilation with the bristly vocal house track "Thanks." The following year, he issued a pair of loose, slinky EPs: One (Must Have) and The Lost Tapes, Vol. 1 (IZWID). A handful of 12" releases came in 2014, including the harder-hitting "Friends" single (on Classic, the label founded by Derrick Carter and Luke Solomon) and the funkier P.A.R.T.Y. EP (on FunkinEven's Apron Records). Signed to the Ninja Tune label, he released the album Universes in 2015. ~ Andy Kellman