by Daniel Harris
My love for Daptone Records and what they do for music is neither a secret nor does it know an end. Co-founders Gabriel Roth and Neil Sugarman have taken an almost extinct genre and breathed life into music and the artists making the music. Charles Bradley's emergence on the music scene is a testament to Roth and Sugarman's ability to spot raw and untapped talent.
Charles Bradley's career in music reads much like a novel or screenplay. As a teen, Bradley ran away from home in search of a better life for himself. After many cold nights sleeping on the streets and subways of New York, Bradley joined Job Corp and trained to become a chef. It was here where
Charles overcame a fear to discover his true calling.
Co-workers often mentioned that Charles favored the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. Through encouragement (and being literally pushed onto the stage) Charles began performing with friends and fellow co-workers. However, at the onset of the war in Vietnam, Charles' band was drafted and his hopes of stardom seemed to have vanished.
After living in places like upstate New York, Seattle, Alaska and Canada, Bradley moved to California in a continued search for a better life. He worked odd-jobs and took small singing gigs to support himself, never finding his break. For the next 20 years, Charles continued searching in California until he was asked to return to New York. Fate, it seemed, would finally intervene to give Charles his chance.
While in New York, Charles performed as a James Brown impersonator in local Brooklyn nightclubs under the moniker "Black Velvet." During one fateful performance, Daptone Records co-founder Gabriel Roth discovered the talent that is Charles Bradley. Finally, Mr. Bradley had found his big break.
Charles' raspy voice, incomparable style and no nonsense, straightforward lyrics are a true reflection of who he is. He is a man with lots of pain, love and life experiences. Daptone Records' analog recording style and deep appreciation for the Soul genre and sound make this label the perfect medium for Charles Bradley.
His latest offering, Victim of Love, finds Bradley moving past "heartache and pain" and moving toward "the promise of hope." A good message to have considering he is now a soul sensation and finally living his dream.
Charles Bradley's story is not uncommon. Many artists struggle when trying to find their moment. However, at 66 and having struggled for most of his life, Charles is a true testament of never giving up, no matter the odds.
0 comments:
Post a Comment