Charles Bradley’s debut LP delivered soul with a retro edge, backed by the Menahan Street Band. Features 12 tracks balancing ballads and groovy rhythms.
Artist page · 05/07/2026
Charles Bradley
About
Charles Bradley, Soul and blues revival from a late-blooming voice out of Florida.
Ten vinyl releases, predominantly on Daptone and Dunham, with original pressings from the 2010s highly sought after.
Charles Bradley was known for his compelling performances and late-blooming career as a soul and blues vocalist. Beginning his music journey in Brooklyn clubs in the late 1990s under the stage name Black Velvet, he caught the attention of Daptone Records founder Gabriel Roth. Bradley proceeded to release a series of albums characterized by a retro sound crafted by top-tier backing bands such as the Menahan Street Band and groups linked to Daptone's signature soul sound, including The Budos Band and The Dap-Kings.
His discography includes multiple LP releases from 2011 through 2019. Notable albums such as 'No Time For Dreaming' (2011), 'Victim Of Love' (2013), 'Changes' (2016), and 'Black Velvet' (2018) showcase his blend of soul with funk and blues.
Discography
Charles Bradley — Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Playlist
Signature tracks
The tracks that sum up Charles Bradley's career.








The essentials
The 3 Charles Bradley albums you absolutely need
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
The sophomore album with 11 tracks blends soul, blues, and rhythm & blues influences, released across multiple pressing variants on Dunham Records.
This 11-track LP showcases Bradley’s emotive voice with arrangements grounded in soul and funk, released on Dunham with several collectible pressings.
Go further
Artists similar to Charles Bradley
Artists who share part of Charles Bradley's musical DNA.
Collectors
For vinyl die-hards
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
Market values (source: Discogs)
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Notable pressings & editions
Face B
Side B: the hidden stories of Charles Bradley
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
Daptone Records provided a sound that is round and groovy with sharp but never overwhelming rhythm sections.— Producer and recording engineers
Black Velvet recorded in 2018 at Dunham Studios, US
The 'Black Velvet' LP was released in 2018 on Dunham, featuring 12 tracks including ‘Can’t Fight The Feeling’ and ‘Victim Of Love (Electric Version)’, recorded with strong contributions from Daptone’s session musicians.
'No Time For Dreaming' issued by Dunham Records in 2011
Bradley's debut album was originally released on Dunham Records and has eight vinyl versions, with some sought for their warm, groove-driven sound combining soul and funk.
Performances as 'Black Velvet' in Brooklyn clubs before recording career
Prior to his recording debut, Bradley earned a following by performing James Brown classics under the alias ‘Black Velvet’ in late 1990s Brooklyn venues, which led to his discovery by Gabriel Roth.
Limited editions and price ranges for 'Changes' LP
The 'Changes' album exists in five vinyl versions including limited edition stereo formats, with resale prices ranging from around 11 to 46 euros depending on condition and pressing details.
Menahan Street Band and associated musicians crafted the sound
Bradley’s recordings prominently feature the Menahan Street Band, and overlapping session musicians connected with The Budos Band and The Dap-Kings, reinforcing a consistent soul and funk sound signature for Daptone’s releases.
Records by Charles Bradley
See allFAQ
FAQ: Charles Bradley on physical formats
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
Who was Charles Bradley and where was he from?
Charles Bradley was an American soul and blues singer born in Gainesville, Florida, in 1948.
What genres of music did Charles Bradley perform?
His music primarily spans soul, funk, blues, and rhythm & blues, often with a vintage sound.
Which record labels released Charles Bradley's vinyl albums?
Most of his key releases were issued on Daptone and Dunham Records, labels known for analog soul recordings.
What is a recommended Charles Bradley album for vinyl collectors?
No Time For Dreaming is a widely sought debut LP with multiple pressing variants prized by soul enthusiasts.
How does the sound quality of Charles Bradley’s vinyl compare?
His recordings benefit from analog production with warm horns, commanding vocals, and a clear groove favored by audiophiles.
Are Charles Bradley’s vinyl records physically available in France?
Vinyl editions have distribution in France and can often be found on reissues and import pressings via soul and funk specialty shops.
Which Charles Bradley vinyl record features the track 'Changes'?
The album 'Changes', released in 2016, contains the title track and is available on LP with multiple editions.
What are the key tracks to listen to on Charles Bradley's vinyl albums?
Popular tracks include 'The World (Is Going Up in Flames)', 'Changes', 'Heart of Gold', and 'No Time for Dreaming'.
Transparency
Sources & method
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
- Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.








