Make Up Your Mind

Description

Make Up Your Mind is an album by the American R&B/funk combo Psalm 150, released on Manna Records in 1974. (The group’s name came from the Psalm 150 in the Bible which speaks of praising God in all places with various instruments.) The album was recorded by Frank Kejmar and Paul Elmore at Whitney Recording Studio in Glendale, California; and was produced by label head Hal Spencer with the band co-producing. Arranged by the band. (They band actually recorded two albums in 1974; Make Up Your Mind and the unreleased Chasin’ the Wind produced by Andraé Crouch.)

Psalm 150 was a eight-piece Jesus music band notable for its horn section, rhythmic style and soulful sound at a time when contemporary Christian music was generally performed with acoustic or soft electric folk/pop songs. The band was initially active between 1971 and 1976, reforming in 2008. The band had a revolving lineup, with their sole album featuring Chris Brock on vocals, Mike Escalante on keyboards and vocals, Bob Anglin on guitar, James Felix on bass, guitar, and vocals, Jack Blades on bass, Jimmy Erickson on percussion and vocals, Greg Eckler on trumpet, percussion, and vocals, and Allen Gregory on trumpet. (Other members of Psalm 150 included: Beau MacDougall; Glen Myerscough; Randy Thomas, later of Sweet Comfort Band; and Bob Carlisle, who actually left Good News to join the band; among others.)

Two of the band members, keyboardist Mike Escalante and bassist/vocalist James Felix, were invited to join Andraé Crouch & The Disciples in the mid-1970’s. Keyboardist Sam Scott, guitarist Randy Thomas, and drummer Jim Erickson would later form the 80’s rock band Allies fronted by vocalist Bob Carlisle, all former members of Psalm 150.

San Bernadino’s Psalm 150 has definitely got the funk. And yea verily it floweth freely and bounteously on the movin’ and groovin’ Make Up Your Mind. Better shine up those platform shoes cuz this thing is saturated with jazzy ‘70s vibes including lots of funky clavinet rippling through several tracks. Funky guitars, funky horns, funky organ, funky percussion, funky r&b-styled female bgvs (or are those guys singing falsetto?) Even a classy pre-disco move on «Get Yourself Together». Woulda bet money these guys were black, but the cover photo gives them away (though the liner says Andrae and Dannie Belle stopped by). Lengthy cuts (a couple over seven minutes) making for over 45 minutes of listening. [Ken Scott, Archivist]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “God Be Magnificent” – 3:36
A2. “Live In Me” – 3:57
A3. “Decision” – 3:36
A4. “Your Life Is At Hand” – 6:28
A5. “Get Yourself Together” – 5:42

Side Two
B1. “Change It” – 4:07
B2. “My Father’s Business” – 3:50
B3. “Wonderful World” – 7:34
B4. “Make Up Your Mind” – 7:26

Note: Vinyl LP housed in a gatefold sleeve.

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