No Time for Dreaming
Charles Bradley · 2011
42 min · 12 tracks · blues
A raw, heartfelt blend of soul and funk infused with the gritty honesty of life's struggles.
Top tracks — play these first
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The World (Is Going Up in Flames) — This opening track encapsulates Bradley's powerful vocal delivery and socially conscious lyrics that address turmoil and resilience, setting the tone for the album.
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Lovin’ You, Baby — A passionate love ballad that showcases Bradley's ability to convey deep emotion through vocal intensity, highlighting the tender side of his artistry.
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Why Is It So Hard? — This track’s reflective lyrics delve into personal struggle and longing, illustrating Bradley's unique capacity to resonate with listeners on a deeply human level.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends heartfelt soul with funk elements, showcasing strong vocals and instrumentation while slowing down towards the end.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a powerful horn section that sets a dramatic tone, followed by Bradley's raw vocal delivery.
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocals, creating an engaging dialogue between the lead and backing singers.
- The album maintains a consistent tempo in the first half, but the last three tracks slow down significantly, allowing for emotional reflection.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- raw emotional expressions of struggle
- short bursts of heartfelt storytelling
- cathartic reflections on love
- intimate moments of soulful connection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, high-energy tracks
- want complex, sprawling compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2011, No Time for Dreaming was Charles Bradley's debut album, marking a significant entry into the contemporary soul scene. After years of performing as a James Brown impersonator and various life challenges, this album showcased his distinctive voice and emotional depth at the age of 62, positioning him as a late-blooming figure in the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings· Lee Fields· James Hunter
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The World (Is Going Up in Flames) 3:23
- 2 The Telephone Song 3:48
- 3 Golden Rule 3:30
- 4 I Believe in Your Love 3:55
- 5 Trouble in the Land 1:02
- 6 Lovin’ You, Baby 5:28
- 7 No Time for Dreaming 2:53
- 8 How Long 3:55
- 9 In You (I Found a Love) 3:22
- 10 Why Is It So Hard? 4:10
- 11 Since Our Last Goodbye 4:17
- 12 Heartaches and Pain 2:56
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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