Last year we lost the incredibly voice and spirit that was Charles Bradley, a beloved soul singer who captured audiences through his spellbinding performances and adventurous taste that included covering artists such as Black Sabbath and Nirvana. While Bradley may be gone, the world will once again be graced with his music in what is being billed as his fourth and final album, Black Velvet, out Nov. 9 via Dunham/Daptone Records.
Black Velvet compiles recordings from the sessions of each of Bradley’s records. None of these recordings have been previously released and includes new versions of his covers of Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold,” Nirvana’s “Stay Away,” Rodriguez’ “Slip Away,” as well as new original material. Our first sampling comes with the lead single “I Feel A Change.” Bradley’s howl propels the track, crooning in his trademark style over a sparse arrangement of pattering drums, guitar chops, horns, and looming organ tones.
Listen to the song and watch a powerful black and white video directed by Living On Soul’s Jeff Broadway and Cory Bailey below. Plus, revisit Bradley's performance in the KEXP Gathering Space from 2016.
KEXP is heartbroken to announce the passing of beloved soul singer Charles Bradley at the age of 68. The "Screaming Eagle of Soul" found a tumor in his stomach towards the end of 2016, but returned to the music world after an operation, including a stand-out set at the Sasquatch! Music Festival and…
Charles Bradley is more than his music. He's a Daptone Records institution, a life-affirming singer, and, as his organist, Mike Deller, introduced him to the crowd at dusk on the first day of the Sasquatch Music Festival, "The Screaming Eagle of Soul."
Charles Bradley is one of those rare artists who can bring a crowd to tears, and that’s exactly what he did as he played a free public show in the gathering space at KEXP's new home. A longtime James Brown impersonator, Bradley began performing as himself at the age of 62, emerging just in time to …
