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| By Kisha Bari |
Charles Bradley - "The World (Is Going Up In Flames)"
Anyone who knows me well enough is aware of my love for old school soul/R&B/Motown. As a person who cares equally for lyrics and instrumentation, soul isn't necessarily the place to turn for incredibly inventive lyrics. What's the real draw for soul is the emotion that empowers -- or rather underscores -- each word that leaves the lips of the singer. Nothing is more gripping than raw emotion that emanates from the depths of the soul. It's relatable music for its sheer honesty and confessional spirit. And lately, for me, it's been the most comforting thing in this world.
Charles Bradley is a 62-year old soul singer that knows something about patience. He's been singing for years, but it's only now that he's releasing his debut album, No Time For Dreaming. Bradley's voice has the perfect amount of rasp and age to give such great detail and emotion to every "oh," every word, and every syllable that he sings. At 62, Bradley certainly has the life experience to inspire his performances. He spent a large chunk of his childhood living on the streets and, over four decades later, was still struggling to make ends meet. The chance to realize his dream didn't come until he was discovered by Gabriel Roth of Daptone records while doing his James Brown routines under his alter ego "Black Velvet."
No Time For Dreaming is out January 25, 2011 through Daptone subsidiary Dunham Records and is some of the most genuine soul music you're bound to find in the 21st century.
Download "The World (Is Going Up In Flames)" after the jump.
Check out a live performance of the track below, with Bradley backed by the Menahan Street Band.
Charles Bradley
MySpace
Dunham Records
1 comment:
When are you in Seattle?
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