Customer Reviews

State Of Mind

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Once again...gospel music's legendary super group releases another cutting edge album that would raise the standard of contemporary gospel music for years to come.

State Of Mind is by far the one of the tightest project Commissioned has ever recorded and as somebody mentioned before the last album by the original six. This album showed the world what Commissioned was all about. The whole album is tight...but my favorite tracks are "One Step After Another", "I Am Here", "Let Me Tell It' and "Everlasting Love"

These brothas continue to hit us with their silky smooth trademark Commissioned harmony. But, make no mistake about it, this is not just a lot of "ear candy" or nice music that'll make you pat your feet and clap your hands. The production on this album is top notch, as usual and the music is well written and executed and the lyrics are so powerful. Not only do the words to the songs minister to your spirit but they "get right in yo' face" and challenge you to draw close to the Lord and get to know Him in a more intimate and real way.

That's what Commissioned has always been about. These brothers are truly commissioned by God to spread the gospel through music to a lost and dying world.

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If you would like information about the only Commissioned fan club on the internet email me.

This cd is one of the best cd's created by Commisioned. No doubt you can listen to this cd straight through. It offers uptempo and great slow paced songs. featuring the hit classic "Let me tell it". and my personal favorite, "the way you love me" This cd is the bomb. Commissioned rocks forever!!!1

I remember the first time that I heard this album. I was in a record store looking for some new music, and they were playing this album. So I asked the clerk what were they playing and he told me, "Oh...that's Commissioned!" And he took me to the rack and showed me where it was and I bought the tape.

For years, the songs on this album, especially "I Am Here," have been some on my favorites. So when I saw that I could order the CD at such an affordable price, I jumped at the opportunity. And I have not been disappointed!!!

First and formost do not listen to people who say that any Commisssioned ballad(slow song)moves at a snails pace. You can go to any one of their albums before State Of Mind and hear how the harmonies is always off the hook. This last reviewer is not a REAL fan of Commissioned. Yes this album/cd is last of the original six but the song quality never lacks. Take "I Am Here" and "Back To My First Love" R&B groups (Jagged Edge, Jodeci, Boyz II Men etc) admitted to coping their style. Commissioned along with other groups(The Winans etc) have set the bar high for others to follow. Hey! don't let me say it all; get the cd for yourself and find out why this will always be a group you can't stop listening to.

This is the last recording by the original members of the group. As does the preceding recordings, it exemplfies the unique Commissioned blend of Gospel, Soul, Funk, & Praise/Worship. Prior to it's first break-up, Commissioned was the most versatile Male Gospel Recording Group ever. Each of the four vocalists have distinctive styles. The demise of the original six, although dissappointing, was understandable. Too much talent in one package.

The younger gospel listener today may have no idea but Fred Hammond wasn't always a solo artist. He's one of many who got his start in this male R&B/gospel act including Michael Brooks and Keith Staten (from this lineup), Parkes Stewart (from an earlier lineup), and Marvin Sapp (he'd join the band on their next outing). The band tried to function as a collective with lead vocal duties split nearly equally (except for drummer Michael Williams) and in many cases a song's writer chose to let someone else sing it. Vocally, this gave them a tight harmony blend as they learned each other's writing idiosyncracies.

Musically, the band has a bit of an identity crisis. When they focus on new jack swing style R&B sounds they do well but they often introduce formulaic saccharine balladry that threatens to put the listener to sleep. They sometimes forget a song can be "slow" without being lifeless.

HIGHLIGHTS:
"He Set Me Free" starts the disc off in great fashion with a Keith Staten vocal. The song kicks into overdrive toward the end as the band proclaims "Whom the Son has set you free, you know, he's free indeed" and Staten growls out "In Jesus Christ you're free for sure". A skittering drum pattern carries "I Will Never Leave You", a Parkes Stewart and Mitchell Jones penned mid-tempo assurance of Christ's commitment. "Let me Tell It" is a bouncy tribute to the Great Commission. ("All the Lord's done for you/you're tellin' me you don't have nothin' to say?/You can't tell it/Oh, let me tell it..") It has one of the best call and response arrangements on the disc. "Everlasting Love" is one of the rare times they hit upon a ballad that works. Its sax is smoothly soulful, adding a jazzy tinge to the tune where on other songs it feels more like "Kenny G." territory. The arrangement also doesn't plod, allowing the drum machines to give it a bit of movement.

LOWS:
"Back to my First Love" is the worst offender in the sugary sweet category. It crawls at a snail's pace and suffers from a weak hook.

BOTTOM LINE:
The production is very VERY 80s with synths, drum machines, and reverb galore. If you were (or ARE) a New Edition/Bobby Brown fan, this is a more "sanctified" New Jack sound. Skip most of the ballads, though.

3 1/2 stars

I haven't heard the whole CD, but the songs that I did listen to I liked, such as "He Set Me Free", "I Will Never Leave You", and "Let Me Tell It". That last song talks about testifying about the goodness of Jesus and what He's done for you. Gospel means "good news", and we (those who know and serve the Lord) should spread the "good news" about Jesus and all that He's done!!

I bought this ablum after hearing Commissioned in Concert. They were the bomb then, and they are the bomb now!