SEE & HEAR: Charles Bradley - "The World (Is Going Up In Flames)"

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.

LISTEN: DJ Tommy TNT Presents "Devastating Duets"

MP3: DJ Tommy TNT Presents "Devastating Duets"

While checking into a press release I received, I followed a link over to the Dunham Records official site and came across something best described as a "gold mine." Right smack on the homepage, I noticed a link for an MP3 labeled "Devastating Duets," which I initially thought was just a one-song MP3. I have a thing for old Motown/soul/R&B, so I was already sold on checking it out, and it just so happens that Dunham is a sublabel of Daptone Records -- so I knew I was in a good place. To my surprise, the MP3 was actually a podcast; a mix of great duets from over the years. The man behind the mix and compilation is DJ Tommy TNT, who, I'll admit, I had never heard of before. Tommy TNT is actually Thomas Brenneck, the man behind Dunham Records, the founder of the Menahan Street Band, a member of The Dap-Kings (you know, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings), and a member of The Budos Band. To say the man knows his old school soul/R&B is stating the obvious.

So, hit play and get down. If you're looking for some pure recording gold, you've found it. Great voices, great music, and that aged, warm vinyl sound. See the tracklist for the podcast after the jump.

In a different place, On a different front

Well. Let's get right down to business:

First Item, my radio silence (please, allow me an out of date figure of speech, you savvy bloggers you). Well, I'm in Costa Rica for the semester, and to be perfectly honest, finding the time to keep up on some of my more regular musical habitats and haunts is considerably harder. I'll take this time to offer a healthy damning to publishing contracts and licensing issues that prevent the use of Pandora and Lala outside of the US.

Second Item, above we have the latest release from Gerald Wilson, Detroit jazz-man extraordinaire. I would like to put forth a rather serious suggestion that you take advantage of the link listed below, in order to listen to "Before Motown". I don't know how many of you out there are spending your time with jazz, or modern jazz, but here is a throwback to big band swing, with a bebop groove that just turned my January upside down. Detroit itself is a strong album, featuring a number of lengthy cuts that keep the mind working, yet simultaneously pleased. Note: the oft-under-appreciated jazz violin solo on the album opener "Blues on Belle Isle".

"Before Motown"-Gerald Wilson Orchestra-from the album Detroit

Motown Celebrates 50

Happy Birthday, Motown/Tamla!
50 years ago to the day, Berry Gordy founded Tamla Records (aka Motown). Check out Spinner's photo gallery which includes some of the label's staple artists recalling their favorite moments over the past half century.

Founder Berry Gordy Reflects on 50 Years of Motown



Marvin Gaye - "What's Going On/What's Happening Brother" (Live)