Forty years later, Charles was still trying to make ends meet, still trying to make it as a musician. He was performing his James Brown routines under his alter ego "Black Velvet" when Gabriel Roth of Daptone records happened upon his show at the Tarheel Lounge in Bedstuy. Roth recognized his raw talent and directly brought him into the studio for a session with The Sugarman 3. Meanwhile, Thomas Brenneck, a young guitar player and aspiring producer from Staten Island was stepping into the Brooklyn soul scene. In time, the two became close friends and Charles confided his whole life story in Brenneck. Brenneck was moved when he heard the painful story of the death of Charles’ brother. Brenneck told him, "Charles, we gotta put that story to music." The result is "No Time For Dreaming" a captivating, raw and honest soul record. At the end of the song "Golden Rule," Charles explains "Now you feel my heart and know I'm for real." This record is the real Charles Bradley.
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