Seven Davis Jr - 8/10

Seven Davis Jr's path to recognition has been a challenging and tortuous one. The Californian is honest about his lost years battling addiction and these experiences have acted as the artistic impetus for 'Universes'.

Funk, gospel, house and hip hop all rub shoulders, but what knits it all together is soul, especially on wonky neo-spiritual 'Fighters' and 'Everybody's Too Cool' with its Prince-like stomp. Comparisons to Moodymann, Dilla and Theo Parrish have been forthcoming, but Davis Jr's vista spreads wider. The dancefloor moments can be intoxicating – 'Good Vibes' is a pumping Daft Punkish hook-up with Julio Bashmore – but it's on the sweet Afro-pop confessional of 'Be A Man' that Davis Jr shows off his song writing prowess to the fullest.

File under: Searingly soulful house/funk

Download: 'Good Vibes', 'Be A Man'

Like this? Try: Moodymann 'Moodymann'

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