Funky 45's — All Formats  

Pure wonderfulness from Charles Bradley – two killer cuts that really sum up his contemporary genius! "Strictly Reserved" has this slow funk groove that's nice and sinister – a stepping guitar riff that really sets up the groove right from the start – topped with these incredibly soulful vocals from Charles, and peppered with just the right dose of horns! "Let Love Stand A Chance" is a killer too – mellower, and a bit more deep soul – with a burning feel that almost blows away the best James Brown ballads of the King Records years!

One of the funkiest tunes we've ever heard from Charles Bradley – thanks to some killer drums on the intro, and this wild psychedelic guitar as well! These instruments set a perfect scene for Bradley to really let loose on "Stay Away" – with these blistering vocals that have a late 60s sort of deep soul energy – totally amazing, and pushing our respect for Bradley even further! The tune's a cover of a Nirvana tune – in case you didn't know it – and the flipside features a continued instrumental take on the groove!

All new funky soul from Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band – a killer cover of Joe Quarterman's "No Time For Dreaming" and the groover "Golden Rule"! "No Time For Dreaming" wastes no time in getting to the good stuff – that tracks in full soulful swing from the opening second, with Bradley's gritty vocals, tight drums, brass and female backup vocals. "Golden Rule" another winner, with pulled-tight groove laid down by the band and a gritty soul message delivery from Mr. Bradley.

Scorching raw soul from Charles Bradley – backed by the tight Menahan Street Band! "World (Is Going Up In Flames)" might be the best track yet from Bradley – an incredible groover with a heavy theme – but the apocalypse never sounded so sweet! The groove is raw and emotive, given a deeper feel thanks to some piano in the mix – with a rubbery bass line and backing vocals by the Gospel Queens! The flip "Heartaches And Pain" is another emotional workout – and has the feel of a lost southern soul scorcher, but with funkier bassline and drums! Amazing stuff!

Madly tripped-out grooves from the Menehan Street Band! "Wolf" is a number with a lot of Ethiopian elements in its groove – a cut that feels like it came from one of Mulatu's famous albums of the 70s – with lots of odd-stepping rhythms, offbeat horn parts, and this spacey bit of guitar and organ that really makes the tune sound spooky! "Bushwick Lullaby" is pretty sinister too – a bit more standard funk, but still pretty offbeat – and with some angular horn lines that would make Salah Ragab proud!