Album Review: Charles Bradley – No Time for Dreaming

Album Review: Charles Bradley – No Time for Dreaming.

This album sounds like something that was recently unearthed from a box of forgotten outtakes at Motown or Stax records, circa 1973. It’s funky soul that sounds like a direct link to the spirit of James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, and Marvin Gaye, with all of their revolutionary post-Civil Rights social commentary as well. It works because the country’s problems in 1973 haven’t exactly gone away, especially in the black communities of inner cities that Bradley sings about. Even though the songs are great R&B tunes, the album wouldn’t be nearly as good exciting were it not for Bradley’s incredibly raw, soulful voice. It’s great that this style of music is still being churned out by groups like Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, who belong to the same Brooklyn label as Bradley. Good stuff for the mind and soul.

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~ by Jake on May 9, 2011.