Artist page · 05/07/2026

Charles Bradley

GainesvilleBorn in 1948Blues10 vinyl albums
Charles Bradley was born in Gainesville, Florida in 1948 and emerged as a distinguished soul, funk, and blues singer in the United States. His recording career blossomed in the 2010s under Daptone Records with a vibe deeply rooted in vintage soul traditions.
Explore the discography The 3 must-haves
10Albums on Vinyles.com
117Discogs releases
723kLast.fm listeners

About

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.

Black VelvetDunham · 2018
2018
Black Velvet
CD, Album
Studio
ChangesDunham · 2016
2016
Changes
CD, Album
Studio
Victim Of LoveDunham · 2013
2013
Victim Of Love
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
No Time For DreamingDunham · 2011
2011
No Time For Dreaming
CD, Album
Studio

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Charles Bradley's career.

01
The World (Is Going Up in Flames)
The World (Is Going Up in Flames)
No Time For Dreaming · 2011
02
Changes
Changes
Changes · 2016
03
Heart of Gold
Heart of Gold
Black Velvet · 2018
04
No Time for Dreaming
No Time for Dreaming
No Time For Dreaming · 2011
05
How Long
How Long
No Time For Dreaming · 2011
06
Stay Away
Stay Away
Black Velvet · 2018
07
Good to Be Back Home
Good to Be Back Home
Changes · 2016
08
Heartaches and Pain
Heartaches and Pain
No Time For Dreaming · 2011

The essentials

The 3 Charles Bradley albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 2011
LP, Album
No Time For Dreaming

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.

12 tracksDunham RecordsOriginal LP pressings sought afterSoul / Funk
Discover the album
#2 · 2013
LP, Album, Stereo
Victim Of Love

The sophomore album with 11 tracks blends soul, blues, and rhythm & blues influences, released across multiple pressing variants on Dunham Records.

11 tracksStereo LPDunham RecordsMultiple vinyl editions
Discover the album
#3 · 2016
LP, Album
Changes

This 11-track LP showcases Bradley’s emotive voice with arrangements grounded in soul and funk, released on Dunham with several collectible pressings.

11 tracksDunham RecordsLimited edition availableSoul / Funk
Discover the album

Go further

Artists similar to Charles Bradley

Artists who share part of Charles Bradley's musical DNA.

Menahan Street Band
Lee Fields & The Expressions
Lee Fields & The Expressions
Lee Fields
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
Curtis Harding
Monophonics
Monophonics
The Budos Band
The Budos Band
St. Paul & The Broken Bones

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
01Recording Studio

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.

2018United States
02Label

'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.

2011United States
03Live Performer

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.

1990sBrooklyn
04Vinyl Editions

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.

2016United States
05Backing Band

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.

2010sUnited States

Records by Charles Bradley

See all
Image manquante

Change For The World + Revelations

Charles Bradley
International Soul Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
Daptone Records
View details
Image manquante

Strictly Reserved For You + Let Love Stand A Chance

Charles Bradley
International Soul Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
Daptone Records
View details
Stay Away + Run It Back - Front Cover

Stay Away + Run It Back

Charles Bradley
International Soul Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
Daptone Records
View details
Heart Of Gold - Front Cover

Heart Of Gold

Charles Bradley
International Soul Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
Daptone Records / Dunham Records
View details
Image manquante

The Telephone Song / Tired Of Fighting

Menahan Street Band
International Soul Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
Daptone Records
View details
Black Velvet - Front Cover

Black Velvet

Charles Bradley
International Soul Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
Daptone Records
From $21.99 1 offer
Changes - Front Cover

Changes

Charles Bradley
International Soul Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
Daptone Records
From $27.98 1 offer
Victim Of Love - Front Cover

Victim Of Love

Charles Bradley
International Soul Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
Daptone Records
From $26.99 1 offer
No Time For Dreaming - Front Cover

No Time For Dreaming

Charles Bradley
International Soul Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
Daptone Records
View details
Strictly Reserved for You’ b/w 'Let Love Stand a Chance - Front Cover

Strictly Reserved for You’ b/w 'Let Love Stand a Chance

Charles Bradley
International Soul Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
Thievery Corporation
View details
No Time For Dreaming The Instrumentals - Front Cover

No Time For Dreaming The Instrumentals

Charles Bradley
Funk / Soul / R&B Compilations Compilations
Thievery Corporation
View details

Recommended accessories

To protect, store and clean your records.

All accessories

FAQ

FAQ

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.

  • WP
    Wikipedia
    Encyclopaedic data and biography
    ↗
  • MB
    MusicBrainz
    Artist metadata, dates, type
    ↗
  • DG
    Discogs
    Discography, pressings and market prices
    ↗
  • LF
    Last.fm
    Listeners, plays, similar artists
    ↗
  • VC
    Vinyles.com
    In-house catalog, prices and availability
    ↗

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 05/07/2026