Commissioned – Go Tell Somebody

Description

Go Tell Somebody is the sophomore album by the American contemporary gospel/R&B group Commissioned, released on Light Records in 1986. Re-issued by Light Records in 1988, distributed by MCA Records. The album was engineered by Billy Brooks, Stephen King, John Jaszcz, and Eric Livengood at Proving Ground Studio in Detroit and Studio A in Dearborn Heights, Michigan; and was produced and arranged by group members Fred Hammond and Michael Brooks with associate producers Michael Williams, Keith Staten, Mitchell Jones, and Karl Reid.

Commissioned is Mitchell Jones, Keith Staten, and Karl Reid on lead and background vocals; Michael Brooks on acoustic piano, Roland JX8P, Yamaha TX7, Roland Juno 108, Yamaha DX100, synclavier computer, and percussion; Fred Hammond on bass and synclavier computer, as well as lead and background vocals; and Michael Williams on drums and latin percussion. Additional musicians: Michael Powell on classical guitar, Michael Wright and Eric Brice on electric guitar, and Earl J. Wright on Moog and Yamaha DX7.

Retroactive Records CD Re-issue

This album is coloured heavily by the times in which it was recorded, 1986. It comes from the era when Commissioned (at that time Fred Hammond, Keith Staten, Mitchell Jones, Karl Reid and Michael Williams) were, along with The Winans, pioneering the work started by Andrae Crouch in bringing R&B rhythms and production values to gospel music. So here we have funky bass, (deliciously played by the award winning Hammond), big snare (ouch), a selection of ring-like-a-bell keyboards and silky vocal harmonies. Musically, not unlike the Tavares or D Train with hints of The S O S Band, this will still connect with fans of ’80s soul. Lyrically, Commissioned have an up front Gospel message although these days they seem to get tagged as band that can crossover. Approaching this re-mastered reissue, the first thing I noticed in what was Commissioned’s second release is the ambient quality the pervades through it, which was unusual for the time. The swirling atmosphere is probably caused by microphones that were not close to the instrument or voices they were recording. These days most recordings are close and fat so listening back to this album will be a different experience in more than one way. As mentioned earlier, ’80s soulsters may enjoy but for me this album doesn’t stand the test of time. It’s simply too stylised. [Paul Poulton, Cross Rhythms, June 2010]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/go-tell-somebody/337180483)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Victory” – 4:53
A2. “Love Isn’t Love” – 5:10
A3. “Go Tell Somebody” – 4:37
A4. “Cry On” – 5:03

Side Two
B1. “Who Do Men Say I Am?” – 4:25
B2. “Hide The Word” – 4:47
B3. “Learn To Pray” – 3:55
B4. “Running Back To You” – 4:44

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Light Records. Re-issued on CD by Light Records 1988, distributed by MCA Records. Also re-issued on CD by Retroactive Records in 2009.

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