Charles Brimmer
Charles Brimmer, born on October 10, 1948, in the lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, is an American Rhythm & Blues singer and composer renowned for his contributions to the deep soul genre since the 1960s. Growing up in a culturally rich environment, Brimmer was initially drawn to gospel music, which laid the foundation for his vocal style. His passion for music eventually led him to explore secular genres, allowing him to make a significant impact on the New Orleans music scene.
Professionally active, Brimmer is best known for his deep soul recordings, which have garnered him a dedicated following. He has been featured in various music events, including the Ponderosa Stomp, an annual festival celebrating New Orleans music. His career reflects the vibrancy of the New Orleans soul scene, where he has worked to preserve its musical heritage while also making his unique mark.
His cover of Al Green's "God Bless Our Love" became a national "mini-hit" in 1975, selling approximately 300,000 copies after being leased to Chelsea Records.
Major Albums:- Expression of Soul (1975); Soulman (1976), featuring tracks like "I Want to Be Your Breadwinner" and "With You in Mind".
Disenchanted with the music industry's promotion and royalty practices, Brimmer moved to Los Angeles in 1976. He worked as an accountant while occasionally performing. He returned to New Orleans in 1986 and recorded "It's Mardi Gras Time" on his family's label, Brimco Records. He officially retired from the music business in the late 1980s to focus on his business career and family.
Brimmer is married to Andrea Domino, the daughter of music legend Fats Domino, and has two children.
Expression Of Soul
Written-By – A. Felder, B. Sigler
3:47
A2 Please Let Me Come Home
Written-By – Elijah Walker
3:33
A3 God Bless Our Love
Written-By – Al Green, E. Randle, Willie Mitchell
8:00
A4 I Stand Accused
Written-By – William Butler, Jerry Butler
5:15
B1 Love Me In Your Own Way
Written-By – Charles Brimmer
4:34
B2 We've Only Just Begun
Written-By – Paul Williams, Roger Nichols
5:05
B3 Just Another Morning
Written-By – Charles Brimmer
3:12
B4 The Music Is Funky (Is It Alright)
Written-By – Charles Brimmer
3:18
Label: Chelsea Records – CHL 508
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Southern Soul, Bayou Funk
Released in 1975, Expression of Soul is the debut studio album by New Orleans deep soul singer Charles Brimmer. The album is widely regarded as a quintessential example of mid-70s southern soul, heavily influenced by the producer-manager Senator Jones and the regional sound of New Orleans.
Brimmer is praised as a "classic deep soul testifier". His vocal delivery is noted for being "tremendously soulful" and "hot," often compared to contemporary Al Green in its emotive intensity.
Reviews suggest the album may have been rushed by Chelsea Records to capitalize on Brimmer's single success, leading to production that some critics feel could have been more "fine-tuned". Despite this, the album is noted for representing his talent effectively.
While some fans consider it his best-known work due to its hits, critics often debate whether his second album, Soulman, is musically superior due to "more seasoned and expressive" vocals.
Album Highlights:-
"God Bless Our Love": A cover of the Al Green classic, this track was the album's breakout national hit, selling over 300,000 copies and becoming a defining song of the deep soul genre.
"The Music Is Funky (Is It Alright)": Described as a mid-tempo "crossover cooker" that reflects the energy of Brimmer's live stage show.
"I Stand Accused": Recognized as one of the standout "drenched in deep southern soul" tracks on the record.
Market Value: As of 2026, original vinyl copies typically hold a median value of approximately $11.16, with high-quality copies reaching up to $23.52. The album maintains a high average rating of 4.44/5 among collectors on platforms like Discogs.
A CD reissue was released by Good Time records in late 2023, though some listeners have noted a lack of updated remastering information or enhanced audio quality in these versions.