Black Velvet album (2018) - Charles Bradley
If Charles Bradley - the Screaming Eagle of Soul - were still alive, he would have turned 70 on 5 November! Sadly, the great soul singer, a native of Gainesville, Florida, died of cancer last year.....
In honour of the singer's anniversary, the album 'Black Velvet' collects 10 songs recorded during the sessions of each of the three previous albums. And you'll hear them for the first time!
"Black Velvet" was the name Bradley used during his days as a James Brown impersonator. What he learnt from The Godfather of Soul was touching, soulful and covered in solid funk. Bradley had dance moves, yells, squeals, songs and screams, but he turned them into his own style with a wonderful, unusual and recognisable voice.
The Black Velvet album continues the journey down the same path of soul love that Charles Bradley began with his debut in 2011. Songs like "Can't Fight the Feeling" - originally recorded in 2007, "Fly Little Girl" - featuring Bradley playing the organ, and the heartbreaking hit "I Feel the Change" speak to the essence of his character.
Another single from the album, "(I Hope You Find) The Good Life" describes the pain and disappointment he once felt from his soulmate, who he was forced to let go of...
"When you're near me, it's so hard for me to resist / So go away, girl, before I start begging you to stay"
This is the other side of the soul singer, don't pass it by!
Charles Bradley had boundless love and talent. Black Velvet is a testament to his brilliance and beauty of spirit, a final love letter to his fans. These are the perfect ten songs he sent us from the depths of his genius heart!
