COMMISSIONED - “Time & Seasons"

They have been billed as one of the greatest Gospel groups of our generation; they have withstood the test of time; they have consistently offered soulful and beautiful music – and they have set the standard for Gospel and R&B artists everywhere. They are COMMISSIONED. And though the faces have changed, the sound has remarkably stayed the same. It is a sound that through the years has become the basis for all contemporary Gospel and R&B male singing groups.

COMMISSIONED, as their name declares, were chosen to sing and share their Gospel message with the world. The group originated in 1984 with a powerful line-up of voices that included: Fred Hammond, Michael Williams, Keith Staten, Mitchell Jones, Karl Reid and Michael Brooks and those original members have left a lasting legacy of classic and superb Gospel music.

But today, there are new memberships; and COMMISSIONED founders Mitchell Jones and Karl Reid, are joined by two new additions: Marcus Cole and Chris Poole.

Mitchell, Karl, Marcus, and Chris – the new COMMISSIONED – are poised to re-ignite the excitement and appeal that have made the group one of today’s most endearing male singing groups. The release of their new album, appropriately titled, “TIME & SEASONS,” marks a new chapter for COMMISSIONED, proving they are ready to continue to affect the contemporary Gospel music world.

In Ecclesiastes 3:1, it is said, “to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” These words define the group’s vision for the new album and serve as a way to understand how the group maintains their ability to continue to flourish and succeed.

“It is our time to finish the course that we’ve been given,” explained founder and member Mitchell Jones. “This album talks about our experiences as a group and how we’ve come to realize that there is a time for certain things to happen, and though we’ve had some change it is time for our record to touch people.”

Co-founder Karl Reid continued on that, “…the album reveals a new level of maturity for the group and how we have evolved. The album delves into many different issues and shows that COMMISSIONED is not one dimensional.”

Despite the adversity, the “COMMISSIONED sound” remains powerful and likable. “TIME & SEASONS” is reflective of the unique combination of the traditional and soulful infused with a hip, young sound that is becoming the new signature of the group.

“We have been rejuvenated by the new guys,” said Jones. “Of course we still have that old flava that made COMMISSIONED what it is, but there’s a twist to it because Marcus and Chris bring a new sound and new vocal harmonies.”

The best example of a new spin on the classic COMMISSIONED sound, was written by Cole, and is called, “Walk Right, Talk Right”. Featuring a smooth sound that rivals any of today’s R&B groups. The song features a funky groove that speaks with a real message. Cole explains, “We wanted to show there’s more to just preaching and saying things – it is the way you live you life that is important, you’ve got to walk right. It is a gratitude song – thanking Him for showing us there is a better way to live and people can change their lives.”

Cole also penned, “You Are Forgiven”, “Barach You”, and “Psalms 84”. The latter song, “Psalms 84” shows the genuine influence that the original COMMISSIONED had on the younger member. Cole recalls being a big fan of the group, saying, “The original group had always influenced my writing style, and I wanted to bring back a little nostalgia with “Psalms 84”. In reminiscence of the vocal harmonies that have made this group famous, COMMISSIONED presents this song beautifully.

Hits are many on this jam-packed album, though among the most noticeable are “Testify”, and “Glorious Praise”. “Testify” is classic sounding song that reaches all audiences with the message that anything can be overcome with the constant and true testimony of the Word. Reid said, ”We wanted to say that when you deal with God, his word is constant and that’s where you’ll find real strength to overcome.”

“Glorious Praise”, another absolute hit, is a head-bobbing cut with an infectious beat that exalts and praises His name. This uplifting praise song exemplifies the uniqueness and abilities of each member of the group.

The title of the CD was actually taken from a line in a song, “One Love” which is destined to be the next great wedding anthem, “The song is about love, and we wanted to be the ones talking about love and telling people about love” said Jones, “there is a real love out there that doesn’t deal with just the bedroom, and that is what people ought to be singing about.”

The new group stays focused on their appointed goal to continue to sing to the world and save those who are lost. “The reason why COMMISSIONED has never gone away, is because we all have yet to fulfill our ministry,” said Jones. “God has built this structure and we are just continuing on with our mission.”