REVIEW: Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise, Time to
Discover
- Matt Fink
At first glance, it might seem that the story behind the formation of Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise would make a good idea for a bad sitcom. The plot line would follow a middle aged blind street singer meeting up with four kids from the alternative rock scene after they happen to hear him singing through an open window while they are in the recording studio, and after asking said street singer to join their band, hilarity ensues. Luckily, the factors that determine the quality of television and music aren't the same.
Time to Discover, the second offering from Alabama born Robert Bradley and his Detroit bandmates, is an excellent mix of soul, Motown, R&B and funk grooves. And while much of the hype around this band centers on the eclecticism of their music, they are really a fairly straightforward R&B band. Without a doubt, Bradley possesses one of the richest, most soulful voices to be heard in recent memory, with comparisons to Lenny Kravitz, Richie Havens, Seal, and Marvin Gaye all being more than warranted. Most surprising might be his backup band and their talent in turning out soulful riffs and tight grooves.
Strangely, the album kicks off with one of its weaker tracks, the plodding funk groove of "Higher," on which Kid Rock appears to toss out some annoying background raps. "Ride" sounds like something that could have very easily come off a Sly & the Family Stone album, with classy brass arrangements and ringing organ. Where Bradley shines the most is on shimmering soul ballads such as "Baby" and the laidback "Ultimate Sacrifice," the former bearing more than a passing resemblance to the work of Al Green. The ghost of Marvin Gaye even turns up on the gospelish, "You & Me" and the falsetto drenched "Mr. Tony." The slightly countrified melody of "Tramp 2," co-written by Bradley and Kid Rock, makes sure that the latter's cameo is not a total loss.
Occasionally, on tracks like the bluesy "Gambler," the formula of building to an emotional repeated chorus doesn't work, as the lyrics aren't really strong enough to merit so much emphasis. If anything, this is where the majority of the complaints could be directed. Still, Bradley is such an excellent singer that even if he doesn't have all that much to say, he sells it enough that you'll believe he does. The bouncy piano driven finale, "Uncle John" sounds enough like a lost John Lennon track that it makes one consider that it could be some sort of homage to the former Beatle.
All in all, Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise have crafted a solid and satisfying effort. Though it is doubtful that this kind of music is going to find a massive following, as an oldies audience is probably going to receive it about as well as the MTV crowd, Time to Discover is a well-rounded collection that is no doubt the product of considerable talent. Even if their story would make for a corny sitcom, it would still be worth watching for the music.
