Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise was formed in 1994 when former members of the band Second Self came across a blind street performer by the name of Robert Bradley. Michael and Andrew Nehra developed and produced the project, delicately crafting the Motown influenced roots. The first two recordings symbolize a magical unity of a time that will resonate with effusive soul throughout history.
Recorded at White Room Studio's in Detroit, the music was delicately captured with vintage analog recording equipment to compliment performances of a lost era. The Nehra's intended upon meeting with Robert to interpret how they could work with the 25 plus year veteran that had been singing in Detroit's Eastern Market for a couple of decades. The intension was to determine if they could craft the raw intensity and soulfulness of Robert's voice which captivated them when singing outside of the White Room. This all took place on a day when Robert was kicked out of Eastern Market where serendipity embraced them all. A week or so later, the Nehra's realized within minutes of turning on their amps and testing the waters, the initial concept to develop Robert with a production deal and musicians to complement was insignificant. Their vision instantly unequivocal when the room fell silent. A pure, honest, marriage of ecstasy that no one expected was born. At this moment forward, the group wrote and performed live, instantly garnishing a buzz in the local Detroit music scene.
The Nehra's continued to record and produce a collection of songs full time with the intent to eventually get the group signed. As the word spread, Peter Robinson of RCA records took a stand to get behind music that those in the mainstream did not quite grasp. Those who helped contribute and pay homage to the undeniable beauty of the project, were crusaders, spreading the word as everyone could witness the ethereal spell that drenched the listener with a timeless classic.
Furthermore, string arranger Paul Riser and other Motown veterans were included in the vision when recording the tracks. Paul arranged some of the most legendary tracks throughout the Motown years. The sound of the music was truly an amazing mix of influences that eventually formed RBBS. The crossroads of the Rolling Stones, Al Green, The band, and Motown was a perfect cocktail led by the soulful, timeless voice of Robert. Detroit-based rocker Kid Rock and Robert Bradley are long time friends, but also share a mutual respect of each other’s music. Robert Bradley was featured on the Kid Rock track "I Got One For Ya" from his Devil Without a Cause LP, and Kid Rock guested on “Higher” and “Tramp 2” for RBBS’s Time To Discover. The Nehra's also contributed to production and song writing on Devil Without a Cause, recorded at White Room. The community was brewing.
Famous quotes containing the words robert, bradley and/or surprise:
“Over the stark plain
The stilted mill-chimneys once again spread
Their sackcloth and ashes a flowing mane
Of repentance for the false day that’s fled.”
—William Robert Rodgers (1909–1969)
“We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount.... The world has achieved brilliance without wisdom, power without conscience. Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants.”
—Omar Bradley (1893–1981)
“A cow does not know how much milk it has until the milkman starts working on it. Then it looks round in surprise and sees the pail full to the brim. In the same way a writer has no idea how much he has to say till his pen draws it out of him. Thoughts will then appear on the paper that he is amazed to find that he possessed. “How brilliant!” he says to himself. “I had no idea I was so intelligent.” But the reader may not be so im pressed.”
—Gerald Branan (1894–1987)