New album: Victim of Love
Artist: Charles Bradley
Label: Daptone/Dunham
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Anyone who thought authentic R&B/soul singers died out with James Brown and Wilson Pickett should rejoice over the emergence of current Soul Man No. 1, Charles Bradley.
Bradley was discovered by Gabriel Roth — the same man who shined a light on modern-day R&B/soul queen Sharon Jones. Having worked hard all his life and not catching a break, the success of Bradley’s 2011 debut album “No Time for Dreaming” at the age of 62 was incredibly sweet. A film documenting his life and first album release called “Soul of Amercia” was released to wide acclaim in 2012.
Bradley wrote the songs on his debut album and “Victim of Love” with guitarist Thomas Bennick — a pair with more disparate backgrounds there couldn’t be. For whatever reason, this seasoned vet and young upstart have forged an incredible songwriting alliance that stands toe to toe with the great southern soul songs churned out by Stax Records in their heyday.
“No Time for Dreaming” was an album about struggle and perseverance; “Victim of Love” is about the reward.
Backed by Dapton label mates Menahen Street Band*, the noir-ish soul/funk/R&B stew that is the hallmark of most Daptone productions is in full force on “Victim of Love.” Not since Booker T & The MGs backed Otis Redding has an established band melded so perfectly with a singer’s timbre and passion.
Funky drumming, James Brown-inspired rhythm guitar and thick, mobile bass blend with vibraphone and Hammond organ to give Bradley’s sharp rasp a counterpoint cushion of finesse.
“Hurricane” sounds like a great lost masterpiece by The Meters, while “Confusion” is filtered through a thick dub haze reminiscent of The Chambers Brothers and Sly Stone.
The one thing about “Victim of Love” that’s wholly original is Bradley’s soaring vocals. He may have grown up idolizing James Brown, but he’s carved out his own space in the pantheon of all-time great vocalists.
Anything with Charles Bradley’s name on it is highly recommended.
*The latest Menahan Street Band album was reviewed in the Free Press on Nov. 7, 2012.
Classic album: Atom Heart Mother
Artist: Pink Floyd
Label: EMI
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
When Pink Floyd released “Atom Heart Mother” in 1970, they were clamoring for a direction. Their original leader Syd Barrett had taken a trip out to where the buses don’t run and decided to stay. His replacement — guitarist/vocalist David Gilmour — was steering the band away from rampant experimentation and towards something almost musical.
That’s not to say “Atom Heart Mother” wasn't a bit out there; with Pink Floyd, you want it to be a little bit out there. The first side of the album was a 24-minute piece based initially around a theme composed by Gilmour.
With orchestration added by Scottish musician/nutter Ron Geesion, side one has it moments but seems a bit cluttered. Live recordings from the era suggest the piece worked better when the Floyd played it as a four-piece with no augmentation.
Side two is comprised of a song each from Gilmour, bassist/vocalist Roger Waters and keyboardist/vocalist Richard Wright. Waters’ “If” was one of his first steps toward personal subject matter in his lyrics and, like most of Waters’ best work, features a simple musical backing.
Gilmour’s “Fat Old Sun” touches on childhood themes and longing that would re-emerge 24 years later on the final Pink Floyd song “High Hopes.” Much like side one of the LP, “Fat Old Sun” fared much better in a live setting.
The rest of side two is filled out with Wright’s catchy “Summer ’68,” which still had some psychedelic residue from the Barrett-era at its edges. The 13-minute album closer, “Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast,” starts off as an audio documentary of how most people start the day, from answering the call of nature to teeth brushing and breakfast.
Eventually, the Floyd meander into the proceedings with a decent jam that improves on the orchestral crowding of side one.
“Atom Heart Mother” isn’t the greatest album Pink Floyd ever made, but it should be interesting to those who only know the band for the six or seven songs classic rock radio plays on a continuous loop.
Jon Dawson’s album reviews appear every Thursday in the Free Press. Contact Jon at 252-559-1092 or jon.dawson@kinston.com. Purchase Jon’s book ‘Making Gravy in Public’ at jondawson.com.