To celebrate their 20th anniversary, veteran R&B group Mint Condition will release a new album in April 2011 via Shanachie.
Lead by the new single âCaught My Eye,â The new project will further ensconce the band as a force to reckon with.
âThe material on the new CD is inspired by all walks of life. Some of it is narrative-things that actually happened or are happening right now. Some things are fantasy,â The band shares. âBut all the things that people feel on the daily is where we always try to go – hopes, dreams, fears, accomplishments and failures…but always we try and find truth in the music and lyric, even if it is fiction.â
Mint Condition (Currently Stokley Williams, Ricky Kinchen, Homer O’Dell, Larry Waddell and Jeffrey Allen) made their debut in 1991 with the album âMeant to be Mint,â which featured the hit single “Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes).” The group later followed with hits like “What Kind Of Man Would I Be,” âNothing Left to Sayâ and “If You Love Me.”
âThere are a couple of things we contribute to us weathering the storms. First learning to deal with each other and the challenges that come with different personalities,â Mint Condition says of their success. âYou have to respect where somebody is coming from even if you don’t agree. We just try to keep it moving and look at the big picture. Which brings up the second thing, our common goal which is the music!! NOTHING or NOBODY is bigger than that! The music is the star. Being able to share that together as a family is worth more than gold. We had to grow into this and having hits to sustain us long enough to realize it didn’t hurt. We love to perform live. That’s who we are. A LIVE BAND!! When we go to different places, there are always folks who have never seen us and so they end up telling someone else who tells their friend. By the time we get around to that destination again, there are even more folks. It’s in living color…We love to record but being in the moment with your people? Nothing like it!â
Currently, Mint Condition has been doing spot dates on Princeâs âWelcome to America Tourâ and they have logged house band duties for TV Oneâs new show âWay Black When,â debuting in Feb.
Listen to Mint Conditionâs new single “Caught My Eye,” plus check out band member Stokleyâs feature on Kelly Priceâs “Not My Daddy.”
It’s been almost two decades since veteran Minneapolis-based R&B group Mint Condition released their last album. Now, they’re preparing to make a triumphant return with an April release that is sure to have fans around the world eager for more. With timeless hits such as “Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)” and “What Kind of Man Would I Be?”, this talented quintet has earned its place in music history, but there’s still much to learn about how they achieved success.
In anticipation of the upcoming album, we sat down with lead singer Stokley Williams and bassist Ricky Kinchen of Mint Condition to discuss their formula for success, the process behind creating a new project, and what fans can expect from the forthcoming record. The members explain that it isn’t just luck or talent that has led them through 20 years together; rather, it’s hard work and dedication coupled with unbridled creativity that keeps them going strong into 2021.
From writing sessions to live performances, Mint Condition has proven time and again why they are one of the most beloved groups in contemporary soul music. In this article, readers will not only get insight into what makes these musicians tick but also previews of some exciting tracks from their soon-to-be-released LP! Get ready—Mint Condition is back in full effect!
Band Profile
Mint Condition, a veteran group from Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been making music for over 25 years and is now prepping their next album release. The R&B band’s members are Stokely Williams (vocals), Homer O’Dell (guitar), Ricky Kinchen (bass guitar), Lawrence Waddell (keyboard) and Jeffrey Allen (drums).
Their signature sound has evolved through various musical trends since the 90s — blending soul, funk and hip-hop to create an eclectic mix of genres. Their most recent album, E Life: Music From the 8th World was released in 2018 and featured collaborations with Mac Miller, Jill Scott and Faith Evans.
Now they’re releasing new singles ahead of their upcoming April 2020 album, “Timelessness.” They have said that success boils down to being honest about yourself as an artist; staying true to your sound while evolving it authentically throughout the years – which is exactly what Mint Condition has done.
Creative Process
The creative process that has kept Mint Condition in the music game for decades is something they take pride in. With every record, their mission is to make timeless music – not only resonating with fans from today but also those of years past. That’s why it’s no surprise that each new single offers a unique blend of sounds and influences.
When writing songs, Stokely says he often draws upon his own experiences as well as stories shared by other band members. He explained that “we’re able to draw on our collective experience — what we’ve been through together and individually — so when you hear the words, you can relate to them because someone else was feeling those things too.” The group works hard to ensure their lyrics are honest and meaningful while pushing sonic boundaries at the same time.
Making authentic music isn’t easy; Mint Condition puts effort into connecting with listeners emotionally every step of the way. They understand that there will always be people who don’t get it or appreciate it, but they strive to reach everyone regardless of age or background. As Jeffrey Allen said, “It doesn’t matter if your grandma likes it or your grandkid knows about us… We want our core fan base to feel good about where we go musically and let others come along for the ride”.
Conclusion
The veteran group Mint Condition has been a staple in the music scene for decades. They have achieved success through their creative process and staying true to themselves as an artist collective. Even after all this time, they are still able to come up with new ideas and create exciting music that resonates with fans old and new.
Their upcoming album is sure to be no different and will likely follow their formula of creating accessible, soulful grooves while never compromising on artistic integrity. Their experience over the years makes them wise beyond their years when it comes to making music and we can expect great things from this release.
Mint Condition’s impressive career reminds us all that hard work pays off and that if you stay true to yourself and your artistry, anything is possible. We look forward to hearing what these veterans have cooked up for us next!
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