Charles Bradley News

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.

Black Velvet is the fourth and final album from the late, great soul singer Charles Bradley. Out November 9 via Daptone imprint Dunham Records, the 10-track album is a celebration of the life of the singer who would have turned 70th that same week and was lovingly assembled by his friends and family. Black Velvet is no anthology, greatest hits or other shallow rehashing of the songs that already made him famous. Rather, this album is a profound exploration through the less-travelled corners of the soulful universe that Charles and his longtime producer, co-writer and friend Tommy 'TNT' Brenneck created in the studio together over their decade-long partnership.

Daptone imprint Dunham Records just released the video for “Those Years Are Over” from the Sha La Das' recently released debut album  Love In The Wind. At the heart of the group and album are the Schaldas: father Bill and sons Will aka SWIVS (keyboards for Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires),Paul (guitar & vocals for Paul and The Tall Trees, Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires) and Carmine. The video is comprised of original 8mm film-footage of the family including Bill's wife Linda (who is also featured on the album cover) and their wedding. It was also edited & produced by William Schalda, Jr. (SWIVS) with artwork and animation by RUFFMERCY, known for his work with Thom Yorke, Run the Jewels, DJ Shadow and more. Watch “Those Years Are Over” here: https://youtu.be/Aey2Ae4TwQI.

Last month, Daptone Records imprint Dunham Records announced the release of Black Velvet, the fourth and final album from Charles Bradley. It was lovingly assembled by his friends and family and will be released November 9th. The 10-track album is a celebration of the life of the singer who would have turned 70th that same week. To help fans around the world celebrate the Screaming Eagle of Soul's astounding life, Daptone has launched a microsite featuring murals painted by Chicago-based artist Joe Miller (https://thejoemiller.com), dedicated to Bradley located throughout the US. Murals will also be painted by local artists in select cities around the UK and the EU. Visit the site at www.daptonerecords.com/CBforever and see a timelapse video of the first mural going up in Chicago, featuring the album track 'Luv Jones' here!

The Sha La Das released their debut album Love In The Wind today via Dunhan / Daptone. At the heart of the album are the Schaldas: father Bill and sons Will aka Swivs(keyboards for Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires), Paul (guitar & vocals for Paul and The Tall Trees, Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires) and Carmine. They've come together with friends from the Dap-Kings, Menahan Street Band and more, to create an album that features harmonic sensibilities rooted in doo wop, blues and soul. Out September 21 via Daptone Records imprint Dunham Records and produced by longtime Charles Bradley collaborator Thomas Brenneck, the album features eleven gorgeous tracks including singles 'Open My Eyes,' 'Just For A Minute,' “Okay My Love.” 

New Daptone Single from SHA LA DAS ft Charles Bradley, Sharon Jones Band Members

November 5, 2018 would have been Charles Bradley's 70th birthday. In celebration of his extraordinary life, Daptone imprint Dunham Records will release his fourth and final album on November 9. Black Velvet will feature ten studio recordings never before included on any album including lead single 'I Feel A Change.'

Daptone Records imprint Dunham Records will release Love In The Wind on September 21. It's the debut album from the Sha La Das, featuring harmonic sensibilities rooted indoo wop, blues and soul. The album was truly a family affair within both the Daptone and Schalda family. Produced by Thomas Brenneck, Love In The Wind features a number of the players that have helped define the Daptone Sound including members of The Dap-Kings, Charles Bradley and Menahan Street Band. And, at the heart of the record, there are the four Schaldas: three talented brothers and the father who taught his boys group harmonies on the stoop of their Staten Island home growing up.