Keyboardist Raymond Jones and singer Norma Jean Wright (who co-wrote Keni Burke's Risin' to the Top), who were former members of Chic, united to become the duo State of Art. Their self-titled debut was one of the premier releases of film director Spike Lee's Columbia-distributed 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks label, whose roster also included Lonette McKee. The RB-charting LP was smooth, adult urban RB, whose core sound at times recalled Soul II Soul. Besides romantic love themes, the lyrics touched on the political (Police State and Unity), Understanding went to number 35 RB in late 1991, and Laughing at the Years charted 89 RB in the spring of 1992. Wright appeared on Jones' Intimate album, which was issued during the spring of 2002. ~ Ed Hogan, Rovi