Roy Davis Jr.

As often as old-school Chicago house is referenced by young DJs, we’re more excited when an established, longtime star like Roy Davis Jr. refuses to rest on his laurels. Davis started spinning Italo and break-dance as a teen, worked at the famed Trax Records and did A&R for Strictly Rhythm. Avid clubbers know him for his work with acid outfit Phuture and “Gabriel,” a massive soulful hit with Peven Everett. After a stint in California, Davis is once again living in Chicago. This week, we get a taste of Davis’s upcoming God, Life, Music album as Scion A/V releases a remix EP of his new single, “I Have a Vision,” featuring vocalist Erin Martin (pictured). We e-mailed Davis to take a look back, and forward.

Time Out Chicago: You were a shrink-wrapper at Trax Records. What did you learn there?
Roy Davis Jr.: In those days, Trax Records taught me about what to do when I ever decided to do my own label and what not to do, to treat people the way that I would like to be treated.

TOC: How about during your days with Strictly Rhythm?
Roy Davis Jr.: Working at Strictly taught me a lot on how to mix my own records, edit other people’s records, how to make hits and how to always maintain professionalism with every encounter. It was the first label to help me get out of the United States as a DJ. I have love for all of the labels that helped shape me into who I am today, even DJ Duke’s Power Music label. He gave me the chance to release my first album, The Secret Mission. Now I’m on my seventh album, due to come out this year, God, Life, Music on Nice&Smooth Records, and a new DJ mix-CD to come on Large records [one of Chicago’s most respected labels, run by Jeff Craven] this summer.

TOC: In what sense was Curtis Mayfield a big influence on you?Roy Davis Jr.: Curtis Mayfield was one of those Chi City artists who gave me courage to sing on my own records and the opportunity to work with Peven Everett. They both showed me how to be open and not be afraid to speak my mind or share whatever I felt that the world needed to hear for that time-period. I also consider myself to be an innovator with whatever I create. I never want to stay in the same zone; I like to move around from R&B, house, tech, hip-hop. It helps my DJ sets out a lot. That way I won’t get bored.

TOC: What inspired the new single, “I Have a Vision”?
Roy Davis Jr.: I really was noticing how a lot of kids had started digging the more electric feel of my sets than the supersoulful sets, so I said it’s time for me to give my other side again or another side of me that no one would expect. Get spacey electric with it!

TOC: What has being back in Chicago meant to you?
Roy Davis Jr.: That family is everything! You write different when you’re around your peeps, and it just feels good to be in the Chi amongst some of the best DJs in the world.

Scion A/V Remix: Roy Davis Jr. is available now at online retailers. Roy Davis Jr.’s “Chicago Urban House Radio” show streams at scion.com/broadband.