Commissioned was a group that I became hip to ….man, back in the early 1990′s. Gospel music at that time was going through a very interesting transition as some gospel artist began to have some of their music included in rotation on many secular radio stations. The gospel music sound was slowly moving away from quartets, organs and choirs to a more modern sound while keeping the message behind the music intact.
I still remember the night I when I saw them perform at Willingboro high school in New Jersey. At that time they were just starting out, but had already demonstrated the ability to amass a significant following. I think I wore my skinny piano tie with my Miami Vice jacket that night along with my slip-on Don Johnson shoes with no socks—at a gospel concert! (At that time, folks were still dressing up as if they were going to service for gospel concerts). This being one of my first submerges into the gospel scene, I did not know the dress protocol.
Anyway, the moment I heard them open their mouths I had no doubt in my mind that boundaries of their musical skills would not just be limited to playing high school auditoriums. Since that time they have gone on to influence numbers of folks both in the gospel music scene and in the secular market.
Read: The Influence of Commissioned
You can also read more about them here.
Below are some random links to full audio clips of their music (from back in the day to 2006)
Sphere: Related Content
