Black Velvet

Sadly I am of an age where I review my considerable music collection and realise that the majority of artists that have given me pleasure over the years have now passed on. Charles Bradley has sadly fallen into this category way too young and I had some reservations that this album might be a money making collection of cobbled together out- takes. I am pleased to report that Daptone Records have released a fitting tribute to the man and his music and Charles suitably screams and cries his way through this soulful collection in the style that we have come to expect. The one track which I believe is not new material is the closing Victim of Love but this is a slightly different version of a brilliant Charles Bradley classic and is worthy of inclusion here. The opening bass line and brass on 'Can't Fight The felling' make the listener immediately at ease that this is going to be a colection of quality songs with the funky backing mainly via the admirable performance of the Menahan Street Band. It is difficult to accept that this album is a collection of songs from a number of years as they all go together very well. Stand out tracks for me are the beautiful Fly Away Girl and (I Hope You Find) The Good life which is a very clever interpretation of the classics 'Go Away Little Girl' and 'The Way We Were' interwoven with a wonderfully infectious bass line.If your a fan rest assured you should buy this. If you are new to Charles Bradley this is pretty much as good a place to start listening as any although all his other albums are, like this one highly recommended. .

Great cd

Charles Bradley was the real deal and this posthumous collection of new and old material truly illustrates the gutsy, emotional, soul wrenching core of the man. The vinyl pressing is also excellent. Wonderful.

This is a gem of an album, a fitting epitaph for a wonderful artist who left us too soon.

Great cd from a very talented singer.Charles Bradley was a marvelous singer ,gone to soon .

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