# Charles Bradley Leads Funk/Soul Revival; Drops Sophomore Album

- Link: https://indierockcafe.com/2013/04/charles-bradley-leads-funksoul-revival-drops-sophomore-album/
- Published: 2013-04-06T19:48:22-04:00
- Author: Max Hammer

[[
 Funk, soul and R&B, especially in the traditional, more organic blends, are 
important musical genres in the history of modern American music, and have made 
significant contributions to the culture during the past 40 to 50 years, producing
hundreds of chart-topping singles, of which there are dozens and dozens of the most
revered songs ever recorded. Veteran musician **Charles Bradley**, 62, is at the
center of the funk/soul/R&B revivalist movement in recent years, and his latest 
album, _Victim of Love_, pays homage to the roots of these uniquely American genres
as the single, “Strictly Reserved For You,” so magically demonstrates.

In 2012, Bradley was the subject of the well-regarded music documentary, _Soul of
America_, that premiered at the prestigious **SXSW** film festival (see trailer 
below) in March of last year. If you enjoy funk, soul, and to a lesser extent, R&
B, the documentary is a must-see, and _Victim of Love_ is definitely worth adding
to your music collection. And as part of the revivalist movement of recent years,
Bradley, and his label, **Daptone Records** (a spin-off label of **Deuham Records**),
deserve the good reviews his albums, and the label’s efforts, have been racking 
up. Bradley is likely the best funk and soul male artist around today, and we predict
his popularity will continue to grow.

Daptone co-founder **Gabriel Roth** first saw Bradley perform in 1996 under the 
moniker **Black Velvet** and introduced Bradley to **Tom Brennek’**s band. They 
recored together, largely ad-lib and on the fly, with Bradley making up lyrics to
grooves right on the spot. Eventually those recordings were released on his 2011
debut, _No Time For Dreaming_. The commendable reception of his debut led to demand
for him to tour across the United States as well as to Europe, Australia and Asia.
On the heels of his sophomore release, Bradley is scheduled to perform next week
in Maryland and Virginia, with more dates expected this summer. _Spin_ wrote: “Charles
Bradley’s rise to the limelight is utterly amazing.”

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“Strictly Reserved For You” – **Charles Bradley** from _Victim of Love_ on Dunham/
Daptone Records on Dunham/Daptone Records