Charles Bradley News

Back in the spotlight with a sublime new rhythm and blues record, James Hunter follows up six critically acclaimed albums with his latest recording, Nick of Time, set for release on Brooklyn's renowned soul label Daptone Records. Nick of Time is a shining testament of how a master songsmith continually draws fresh water from a bottomless well. Recorded and produced by Bosco Mann, Nick of Time features one of today's foremost soul singers at the top of his game performing with musicians who've backed some of the biggest contemporary music stars including Daptone artists Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley. Nick of Time will be internationally released on March 6, 2020.

Back in the spotlight with a sublime new rhythm and blues record, James Hunter follows up six critically acclaimed albums with his latest recording, Nick of Time, set for release on Brooklyn's renowned soul label Daptone Records. Nick of Time is a shining testament of how a master songsmith continually draws fresh water from a bottomless well. Recorded and produced by Bosco Mann, Nick of Time features one of today's foremost soul singers at the top of his game performing with musicians who've backed some of the biggest contemporary music stars including Daptone artists Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley. Nick of Time will be internationally released on March 6, 2020.

Shreveport, Louisiana's Seratones - fronted by the gospel-trained powerhouse frontwoman A.J. Haynes - released their sophomore album POWER in August to critical acclaim from NPR, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Billboard, PAPER Magazine, Paste Magazine, NYLON, and many more. They recently wrapped up a headlining tour in the US, and before kicking off their UK/EU tour tonight they share the music video for 'Over You.'

The Jay Vons premiered a video for “Keep On Moving” today via Vents Magazine, prior to their debut album, The Word, arriving tomorrow via La Castanya. The New York City quartet will celebrate December 1 in Brooklyn at Union Pool.

James Levy's new album Somebody is out today on Innit Recordings/The Orchard. The album was produced by Paul Defiglia (The Avett Brothers) and recorded in Nashville. Levy and his band will perform songs from the new album at a record release party at The Basement in Nashville on Oct 3.

Shreveport, Louisiana's Seratones - fronted by the gospel-trained powerhouse frontwoman A.J. Haynes - will release their sophomore album POWER later this month. The band has already released the massive singles 'Power,' 'Gotta Get To Know Ya' and 'Sadboi,' earning praise from the likes of The New York Times, NPR Rolling Stone, and many more. Today, the band releases the gripping Power album opener 'Fear,' a track that artfully sets the table for an album all about the day-to-day beauty and horror of modern life.

Shreveport, Louisiana's Seratones - fronted by the gospel-trained powerhouse frontwoman A.J. Haynes - will release their sophomore album POWER next month, and today they share an incredibly moving music video for the album's title track. The Danielle Calodney-directed video highlights A.J.'s work as an equality and reproductive rights activist, as well as her work as a counselor at one of Louisiana's last abortion clinics, and is dedicated to the late Sadie Roberts-Joseph. Filmed throughout three important, women-founded locations in Shreveport - the Calanthean Temple, which was a Black cultural hub during the Jim Crow-era; Hope Medical Group abortion clinic, where A.J. is a counselor; and The Confederate monument - “Power” is Seratones' way of celebrating how far we have come, despite all the work there is left to do.

Today, Daptone Records has shared 'Hey Brother (Do Unto Others),' the A-side to their recently announced 100th 45. Available June 28, the 45 is an unprecedented collaboration of talent from their legendary roster of artists. 'Hey Brother (Do Unto Others)' features the late great monarchs of the Daptone family, Charles Bradley and Sharon Jones, as well as Saun & Starr, the Frightnrs, James Hunter, Naomi Shelton, Duke Amayo and Lee Fields, singing a message of righteousness and brotherhood over a groove sewn seamlessly together by members of The Dap-Kings and Menahan Street Band.

Commemorating the 10 year anniversary of Julian Casablancas' Cult Records and their May 28/29 Pop Up in NYC, Reputante today released a five song EP - its first new music since 2013's Cult release Oceanside. Fronted by vocalist James Levy and produced by Jimmy Giannopoulos (Lolawolf, CREWSHADE), Living in the Dark includes 5 indie rock songs recorded in Brooklyn, NY. The band's previous EP, Oceanside included “Deep Set Eyes,” which was playlisted on Sirius XMU and was a KEXP “Song of the Day” and Safe n' Sound (Michelle Williams video).

Shreveport, Louisiana's Seratones - fronted by the gospel-trained powerhouse frontwoman A.J. Haynes - released their remarkable debut album in 2016, leading to mass critical praise, a national television debut on CBS This Morning, an NPR Music Tiny Desk concert, as well as tours with the likes of Charles Bradley, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, and more. Today the band announcePOWER, their first new album in 3+ years, first featuring a new member line-up, first record with New West and first record produced by Cage The Elephant's Bradley Shultz. “We went through a pretty dramatic shift with this record,” says Haynes. “The band lineup, the creative process, the sound: all of it changed in ways that really reflected our growth and evolution.” On this album, Haynes showcases how vulnerability can be powerful, as her songs explore her years fighting for reproductive rights and serving as a counselor at one of Louisiana's last remaining abortion providers, her advocacy for racial equality, her struggles to adapt and overcome, her love of poetry, and much more. Seratones' sophomore album POWERwill be released on August 23rd - pre-order HERE.

Daptone Records has just announced the release of its 100th 45--an unprecedented collaboration of talent from its legendary roster of artists--available June 28. The A side, 'Hey Brother,' is a song written by The Frightnrs and originally performed on their acclaimed LP, Nothing More to Say. In the wake of the tragic loss of singer Dan Klein to ALS just before the album's release, Daptone felt it would be a fitting tribute to re-imagine the tune as a soulful collaboration between the dynamic vocalists on the label. The song features Charles Bradley, Sharon Jones, Naomi Shelton, Amayo (Antibalas), Saun & Starr, and more! What started as a thank you to the label's beloved fans has now also become a loving tribute to their lost Brothers and Sister: Charles Bradley, Dan Klein, Cliff Driver, and our eternal Queen, Miss Sharon Jones.

“Songs of Love” is the first single from James Levy's new album, Somebody. The song follows the April 26th release of Levy's collaboration with Charles Bradley, “Lonely as You Are,” which Rolling Stone called a “devastating masterclass” and Atwood Magazine called “one of the strongest soul songs of the year.”

The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia (UBC) announces its 2019/20 series, featuring empowering narratives from marginalized communities, vibrant exaltations of multiculturalism, and breathtaking musicality in the Chan Shun Concert Hall. Over the course of nine concerts, extraordinary talent from around the world will converge in Vancouver, including an icon of Americana, the height of jazz royalty, and a compelling Norwegian songstress. Also just announced is the 2019/20 Beyond Words series, featuring four heartrending interdisciplinary performances that affirm the importance of diversity in storytelling.

In late 2016, Charles Bradley faced his greatest challenge in a lifetime filled with challenges. A stomach cancer diagnosis earlier that fall forced him off the road at the peak of his career. Weakened by months of chemotherapy, facing a potentially life threatening surgery and confronting his own mortality, Bradley stepped into a home recording studio in Queens, NY and spontaneously created “Lonely as You Are.” 

Boston Playwrights' Theatre (BPT) presents Boston Theater Marathon XXI, featuring 50 ten-minute plays, written by 52 New England playwrights, and produced by 50 New England theatres in ten hours.

Asheville, NC-based Travers Brothership have announced a lengthy tour in support of their latest release, Let The World Decide. Starting April 5th, the Brothership takes flight into new, uncharted territory, storming the east coast and deep south with their homegrown brand of funky, improvisation-driven rock and roll. Fans can see Travers Brothership in a headlining role for roughly half of this tour while the rest of the dates will be in support of fan favorites like Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band, Kyle Hollingsworth of String Cheese Incident, DJ Logic and Jeff Sipe, guitar hero Eric Gales, Southern Avenue, and JJ Grey & Mofro.

As the countdown begins for the kickoff of A2IM's Indie Week, A2IM is announcing the list of nominees for the 2019 Libera Awards presented by SoundExchange. The Awards recognize a wide range of musicians and visionaries and offer the independent music community the opportunity to honor the hard work and accomplishments of their peers.

BRIC, the pioneering NYC arts and media organization and leading presenter of free cultural programming in Brooklyn, announces the spring 2019 season of BRIC House Sessions (February-April 2019), part of BRIC's 40th Anniversary. The exhilarating concert series, held annually, brings the ethos of the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival into the organization's Fort Greene headquarters through world-class performances on Thursday evenings. BRIC House Sessions draws its talent from a bold and eclectic array of musical genres and world cultures, with concerts featuring opening acts by DJs and musicians, and headlining sets from internationally-renowned artists. 

Black Velvet is the fourth and final album from the late, great soul singer Charles Bradley. Out today via Daptone imprint Dunham Records, the well-received 10-track album is a celebration of the life of the singer who would have turned 70 this past Monday, November 5, and was lovingly assembled by his friends and family. Fans were able to stream the album early via NPR Music First Listen, and can now stream and purchase the album here: https://ffm.to/charlesbradley.

Daptone imprint Dunham Records will release Black Velvet--the fourth and final album from the late, great soul singer Charles Bradley on November 9. The 10-track album is a celebration of the life of the singer who would have turned 70 that same week and was lovingly assembled by his friends and family. Black Velvet is available to stream now via NPR Music First Listen, ahead of next week's release. Bruce Warren notes, 'Charles Bradley had boundless love and talent. Black Velvet is a testimony to his beauty and spirit, a final love letter to his fans. It's a perfect ten-song soul send off from one of the greats.' Stream Black Velvet here: https://n.pr/2EWvvc6.