Album Review: Charles Bradley - Black Velvet

The passing of Charles Bradley was a tragic loss felt by many in the music community late last year. Although the 68-year-old’s time in the spotlight was brief, he brought joy to millions with his incredible voice. Posthumous release Black Velvet is a magical celebration of the humble and charismatic soul singer’s life and a fitting tribute to the man known as The Screaming Eagle of Soul.

The album is an authentic collection of studio outtakes, rarities and covers selected from over a decade worth of recordings. Can’t Fight The Feeling opens the album in raucous fashion, the Motown-styled soul thumper a dizzying display of Bradley’s vocal prowess set against a kick-ass brass section. Then there’s Bradley’s '60s-styled duet with LaRose Jackson, Luv Jones and heartbreaking ballad I Feel A Change, both album highlights.

The selection of covers is interesting, with Bradley tackling Nirvana’s Stay Away, Rodriguez’s Slip Away and Neil Young’s Heart Of Gold. All three are great, but it’s Heart Of Gold that works best. Bradley turns the introspective acoustic hit into a boppy soul number without taking anything away from Young’s original.

Bradley’s fourth and final album is the perfect goodbye to one of soul's most underrated voices.