DESCRIPTION:
Hear the entire session and interview: http://soundcheck.wnyc.org/story/charles-bradley-in-studio/

Soul singer Charles Bradley's long path to musical fame has been punctuated by bumpy detours and personal struggles -- from a lifetime of odd day jobs, family tragedies, and poverty. But Bradley always knew he could sing, and kept plugging away anyway. Then in his early 60s, he finally got a shot when Daptone Records co-founder Gabriel Roth caught his James Brown tribute act in a Bushwick club, performing under the name "Black Velvet." Roth ultimately signed Bradley to record his first album, 2011's No Time For Dreaming. It's a remarkable story, now told in the documentary film Charles Bradley: Soul Of America.

All those years spent toiling certainly paid off: Bradley captivated audiences with a funky and exuberant live show and songs that exude wisdom as they deal with his experiences and hardships. In 2013, Bradley released his follow-up record, Victim Of Love, another fine collection of dance-ready soul tunes.

Watch Bradley and his band the Extraordinaires perform "Strictly Reserved For You" in the Soundcheck studio.

For more, follow Soundcheck on Twitter at @Soundcheck.