It's hard to believe that is was 20 years ago, a self contained R&B band from Minneapolis/St. Paul/Chicago, burst on the scene that would pick up where their predecessors, SLAVE, The Ohio Players, Earth, Wind and Fire, etc., left off. One of the few, if only, commercially R&B self contained bands still to this day making music, Mint Condition certainly withstood the test of time with the release of their 7th studio album, the aptly titled, "7". Released on Mint Condition's custom record label, Caged Bird Records, through a production and distribution arrangement with Newton, New Jersey based eclectic label, Shanachie Records, the band once again, deliver their brand of funk/Smooth R&B/Carribbean flavor, and of course, ballads, that will surely satisfy their rabid fanbase, and will bring aboard a new generation of believers. Let's take a closer look at the venerable, and VERY NECESSARY band to ever grace the world's stages. ...... Ladies and gentlemen ..... boys and girls ..... funksters and funkettes ..... without further adieu, I present to you ..... MINT CONDITION'S, "7".
"Can't Get Away". This opening track is both adventurous and haunting, in that it's sonic textures are layered in scary atmospheric sounding synthesizers, a delayed reverb snare, a thumped bass guitar, sweeping crash cymbals, and a monster guitar solo courtesy of O'Dell. Stokley's lead and background vocal are sung in his distinctive tenor voice that aches of wanting to be with that lady when she's not there, and you can hear it his delivery. The ending is where it gets busy with the aformentioned guitar solo, and the loud vocalized group shouts.
"I Want You". Stokley and Rick collectively as the sole musicians on this track, keeps the groove moving along, though repetitive, it's sure to get your feet moving with various major and minor chords performed on synths. The funky strummed guitar licks blend well in tandem with the bass guitar, as does the light percusssions in the background. This toe tapper is supplemented by an infectious melody that'll stay in your head, as Stoke's and Ricky's vocal parts are sung, either in conjunction with one another, or separate, it works.
"Walk On", is a mid tempo'd jazzy number sprinkled with a light and airy groove. The fretless bass guitar performed bent notes will conjure up images of Jaco Pastorious, and the strummed rhythm guitar pattern adds a coolness to this late night anthem. The sitar adds that Stylistics, Middle Eastern flavor that blends great with the Fender Rhodes, and vocal play of Stokley, Jef, and Rick. Stokley's lead vocal performace is stellar, to say the least, as he takes notes to sweet highs and pleasant lows, this song is one of the highlights of this fantastic album.
"Mind Slicker", is the only track on the album that closely resemble what you hear on urban radio today, but done MC style, san auto tune, thank goodness. It's another mid tempo track that features a synthesizer harp played throughout the track, synthesizer stabs, finger snaps, sub octave bass synthesizer performed chords and runs, that comes with the lyrical emotional depths of joy and dizzying lows of vulnerability in Stokley's heartfelt performance. It's in the breakdown where supporting drummer Brandon, Stokley and Jef on keys, O'Dell on guitar, get loose in a rockish and funky throwdown, to only bring it down to it's original mellow groove.
First single, the infectious, "Caught My Eye", falls in the long line of classic ballads MC is famously known for ... and it's doesn't disappoint either ! The live drums performed in a jazzy context, but laced in funk overtones, the smooth and mellow guitar lines, the warm sound of a REAL electric bass guitar, the cool keyboard lines, and the unmistakable vocals of Stokley, make up what will be a song that'll be played on Quiet Storm programs for years to come. The lyrical subject matter, in which you can surely figure out just by the title alone, is that what draws us fellas to you lovely and beautiful ladies out there in the first place ..... nuff said ! ;-)
"Bossalude", takes it down to familiar territory the band's ventured before, and that is the island sun setting breeze of just chillin' on a Carribbean beach with a rum punch in tow, .... via Brazil ! The extraordinary steel drum and live drum performance of Stokley,{Hey man, do you have any West Indian lineage in your family ?}, the bossa nova feel of both Rick's bass and O'Dell's guitar, alongside Lawrence El's synthesizer fills and chords, make this one of the best 2:05 running time songs they've ever done.
Album title track, "7", is a nod to their hometown, and a retrospective of their enduring career as told through the rap performed by "K". The openings notes of this tune are that of a trombone, trumpet, tuba, baritone horn, and baritone saxophone .... or so you think ? ..... psych ! They're not ! They're expertly executed by Stokley and/or Jef. That's how sharp these brothers ears are, to replicate, and do so convincingly, a real horn section, you almost couldn't tell the difference. KUDOS GUYS ! The track itself is done in a "gangsta smooth modus operandi", not hardcore, just smooth enough to bear listening to.
OK, Rick Kinchen must've just finished listening to a batch of Al Green records that inspired him to write the "Stax Records' Booker T. & The M.G.'s Studio Session Musician Era-esqe", "Ease The Pain"..... and must have had Stokley sitting next to him, to give HIM the inspiration to capture the essence of the Memphis, TN soul legend. Rick must have been so moved by Al so much to the degree, he helmed most of instrumentation himself, .... probably telling the fellas before the recording session, "You guys chill, I got this ! .... Oh ! Jef, Stoke just hold down the keyboard parts for me, I got the rest". That should give you an idea where this song went.
The mood takes a serious tone on the beautifully written and arranged Lawrence El composition, "Unsung". This Gospel inspired song features the gently performed acoustic piano lines of the composer, the church infused organ performance of guest musician, Darnell Davis, the mellow and fluid bass performance of Rick, an excellent guitar solo performance of O'Dell, and the lead vocal/live drum performance of Stokely. Guest vocalist, Tonia Hughes-Kendrick, adds a nice touch and even balance to Stokley's well tempered, but melodic lead vocal delivery. Great song !
Please refer to the audio YouTube audio of the marvelous Warryn Campbell {Mary Mary's writer/producer}, Kelly Price penned song, "Not My Daddy" in which Kelly duets with Stokley. Most of the instrumentation that consists of live drums, keyboards, and bass guitar are handled by Stokley himself. Lawrence El adds additional keyboard support to this chart topper. The melody ?, what can I say, it's just memorable and catchy. It incorporates a great sing-a-long hook, and a more than spectacular performance from the "cats" themselves.
Closing number, the very interesting, and lyrically funny, .... and quite possibly true in some people's wretched lives ..... you have "Twenty Years Later". This song has a, somewhat, ballroom dancehall/tango feel to it, if you could imagine something like that coming from Mint ..... but yet once again, IT WORKS !!! The Rick Kinchen/Stokley penned number incorporates, what sounds like, once again, a full live orchestra. Yup, you guessed it, synthesizers. I might have to call the The Twin Cities Musicians' Union Local 30-73 on these guys. .... Nah, I wouldn't do that. Stokley handles most of the instrumentation here with the exception of electric guitar, and those honors goes out to Rick. A story of a man who just doesn't seem to get it right after 47 years, is the main subject here .... one of which you would not to emulate. But the track itself smokes. It's full of grandeur, it's very bombastic, particularly as the song progress, as it's one you'll have in the repeat mode in the iPod.
PLEASE SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC AND GO SEE THESE BROTHERS WHEN THEY PLAY YOUR TOWN ! .... AND PLEASE REMEMBER FOLKS, AND I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH, BUY THIS RECORD THROUGH LEGITIMATE OUTLETS, WHETHER IT BE TRADITIONAL OR DIGITAL. YOUR FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ARE THE ELEMENTS THAT WILL KEEP THE MUSIC IN FULL SUPPLY FOR YEARS TO COME. WHAT A BETTER WAY TO SAY "THANK YOU" TO MINT CONDITION THAN TO BUY THROUGH LEGITIMATE MEANS. THEY TOO HAVE FAMILIES TO SUPPORT, AS DO THE EMPLOYEES AT SHANACHIE RECORDS, JUST LIKE YOU. PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES, YOU WOULDN'T WANT SOMEONE, OR ANYTHING, TAKING FOOD OUT OF YOUR MOUTHS, NOW WOULDN'T YOU ? .... WELL, THAT'S WHAT ONE DOES WHEN THEY ILLEGALLY DOWNLOAD AND, STILL, BUY BOOTLEGGED COPIES. IF ANYONE OFFERS TO BURN YOU A PHYSICAL CD, PLEASE DECLINE THE OFFER, AND TELL THAT PERSON(S), "THAT'S NOT RIGHT MAN ! ... OR GIRL, THE MINT DOESN’T DESERVE THAT" .... STOP THAT VICIOUS CYCLE. IT STARTS WITH US, THE CONSUMER. ON BEHALF OF MINT CONDITION, SHANACHIE RECORDS, AND THE MANY ARTISTS WE ENJOY LISTENING TO, I LOVINGLY SAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH !
Musically Yours,
Ran Man
PROPS ..........
Thank You Very Much Jeff Taube For Everything ! Your Friendship ?? .... PRICELESS !!
Thank You Very Much O'Dell .... Speaking of which, did someone ever walk off with that Rick James Live DVD ??
Thank You Very Much Lawrence "El" Waddell .... How's that Queen Rock Montreal DVD treatin' you ?!
Thank You Very Much Ricky Kinchen .... For just bein' cool, .... and NOT lettin' anyone walk off with your Rick James Live DVD !
Thank You Very Much Jeffrey Allen .... and just how many times are u gonna watch that Steely Dan "Aja" Classic Album DVD man ?!?!
..... and last, but certainly not least, Thank You Very Much Stokley .... for that voice, and you just bein' a good friend !
..... and Thank You Very Much Shanachie Records for believin' in these talented musicians, and just all around good people, my boys, Mint Condition !
Official Website : www.mintconditionmusic.com
Facebook : www.facebook.com/#!/mintconditionmusic
MySpace : www.myspace.com/mintconditionmusic
Reverb Nation : www.reverbnation.com/#!/mintcondition
Twitter : www.twitter.com/mcondition?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=mcondition&utm_content=57854744470884352&ref=nf
You can purchase a copy of "7" at Amazon.Com : www.amazon.com/7-Mint-Condition/dp/B004NCOQZG/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1302633124&sr=1-1
FOR BOOKING INFORMATION:
"Can't Get Away". This opening track is both adventurous and haunting, in that it's sonic textures are layered in scary atmospheric sounding synthesizers, a delayed reverb snare, a thumped bass guitar, sweeping crash cymbals, and a monster guitar solo courtesy of O'Dell. Stokley's lead and background vocal are sung in his distinctive tenor voice that aches of wanting to be with that lady when she's not there, and you can hear it his delivery. The ending is where it gets busy with the aformentioned guitar solo, and the loud vocalized group shouts.
"I Want You". Stokley and Rick collectively as the sole musicians on this track, keeps the groove moving along, though repetitive, it's sure to get your feet moving with various major and minor chords performed on synths. The funky strummed guitar licks blend well in tandem with the bass guitar, as does the light percusssions in the background. This toe tapper is supplemented by an infectious melody that'll stay in your head, as Stoke's and Ricky's vocal parts are sung, either in conjunction with one another, or separate, it works.
"Walk On", is a mid tempo'd jazzy number sprinkled with a light and airy groove. The fretless bass guitar performed bent notes will conjure up images of Jaco Pastorious, and the strummed rhythm guitar pattern adds a coolness to this late night anthem. The sitar adds that Stylistics, Middle Eastern flavor that blends great with the Fender Rhodes, and vocal play of Stokley, Jef, and Rick. Stokley's lead vocal performace is stellar, to say the least, as he takes notes to sweet highs and pleasant lows, this song is one of the highlights of this fantastic album.
"Mind Slicker", is the only track on the album that closely resemble what you hear on urban radio today, but done MC style, san auto tune, thank goodness. It's another mid tempo track that features a synthesizer harp played throughout the track, synthesizer stabs, finger snaps, sub octave bass synthesizer performed chords and runs, that comes with the lyrical emotional depths of joy and dizzying lows of vulnerability in Stokley's heartfelt performance. It's in the breakdown where supporting drummer Brandon, Stokley and Jef on keys, O'Dell on guitar, get loose in a rockish and funky throwdown, to only bring it down to it's original mellow groove.
First single, the infectious, "Caught My Eye", falls in the long line of classic ballads MC is famously known for ... and it's doesn't disappoint either ! The live drums performed in a jazzy context, but laced in funk overtones, the smooth and mellow guitar lines, the warm sound of a REAL electric bass guitar, the cool keyboard lines, and the unmistakable vocals of Stokley, make up what will be a song that'll be played on Quiet Storm programs for years to come. The lyrical subject matter, in which you can surely figure out just by the title alone, is that what draws us fellas to you lovely and beautiful ladies out there in the first place ..... nuff said ! ;-)
"Bossalude", takes it down to familiar territory the band's ventured before, and that is the island sun setting breeze of just chillin' on a Carribbean beach with a rum punch in tow, .... via Brazil ! The extraordinary steel drum and live drum performance of Stokley,{Hey man, do you have any West Indian lineage in your family ?}, the bossa nova feel of both Rick's bass and O'Dell's guitar, alongside Lawrence El's synthesizer fills and chords, make this one of the best 2:05 running time songs they've ever done.
Album title track, "7", is a nod to their hometown, and a retrospective of their enduring career as told through the rap performed by "K". The openings notes of this tune are that of a trombone, trumpet, tuba, baritone horn, and baritone saxophone .... or so you think ? ..... psych ! They're not ! They're expertly executed by Stokley and/or Jef. That's how sharp these brothers ears are, to replicate, and do so convincingly, a real horn section, you almost couldn't tell the difference. KUDOS GUYS ! The track itself is done in a "gangsta smooth modus operandi", not hardcore, just smooth enough to bear listening to.
OK, Rick Kinchen must've just finished listening to a batch of Al Green records that inspired him to write the "Stax Records' Booker T. & The M.G.'s Studio Session Musician Era-esqe", "Ease The Pain"..... and must have had Stokley sitting next to him, to give HIM the inspiration to capture the essence of the Memphis, TN soul legend. Rick must have been so moved by Al so much to the degree, he helmed most of instrumentation himself, .... probably telling the fellas before the recording session, "You guys chill, I got this ! .... Oh ! Jef, Stoke just hold down the keyboard parts for me, I got the rest". That should give you an idea where this song went.
The mood takes a serious tone on the beautifully written and arranged Lawrence El composition, "Unsung". This Gospel inspired song features the gently performed acoustic piano lines of the composer, the church infused organ performance of guest musician, Darnell Davis, the mellow and fluid bass performance of Rick, an excellent guitar solo performance of O'Dell, and the lead vocal/live drum performance of Stokely. Guest vocalist, Tonia Hughes-Kendrick, adds a nice touch and even balance to Stokley's well tempered, but melodic lead vocal delivery. Great song !
Please refer to the audio YouTube audio of the marvelous Warryn Campbell {Mary Mary's writer/producer}, Kelly Price penned song, "Not My Daddy" in which Kelly duets with Stokley. Most of the instrumentation that consists of live drums, keyboards, and bass guitar are handled by Stokley himself. Lawrence El adds additional keyboard support to this chart topper. The melody ?, what can I say, it's just memorable and catchy. It incorporates a great sing-a-long hook, and a more than spectacular performance from the "cats" themselves.
Closing number, the very interesting, and lyrically funny, .... and quite possibly true in some people's wretched lives ..... you have "Twenty Years Later". This song has a, somewhat, ballroom dancehall/tango feel to it, if you could imagine something like that coming from Mint ..... but yet once again, IT WORKS !!! The Rick Kinchen/Stokley penned number incorporates, what sounds like, once again, a full live orchestra. Yup, you guessed it, synthesizers. I might have to call the The Twin Cities Musicians' Union Local 30-73 on these guys. .... Nah, I wouldn't do that. Stokley handles most of the instrumentation here with the exception of electric guitar, and those honors goes out to Rick. A story of a man who just doesn't seem to get it right after 47 years, is the main subject here .... one of which you would not to emulate. But the track itself smokes. It's full of grandeur, it's very bombastic, particularly as the song progress, as it's one you'll have in the repeat mode in the iPod.
PLEASE SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC AND GO SEE THESE BROTHERS WHEN THEY PLAY YOUR TOWN ! .... AND PLEASE REMEMBER FOLKS, AND I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH, BUY THIS RECORD THROUGH LEGITIMATE OUTLETS, WHETHER IT BE TRADITIONAL OR DIGITAL. YOUR FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ARE THE ELEMENTS THAT WILL KEEP THE MUSIC IN FULL SUPPLY FOR YEARS TO COME. WHAT A BETTER WAY TO SAY "THANK YOU" TO MINT CONDITION THAN TO BUY THROUGH LEGITIMATE MEANS. THEY TOO HAVE FAMILIES TO SUPPORT, AS DO THE EMPLOYEES AT SHANACHIE RECORDS, JUST LIKE YOU. PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES, YOU WOULDN'T WANT SOMEONE, OR ANYTHING, TAKING FOOD OUT OF YOUR MOUTHS, NOW WOULDN'T YOU ? .... WELL, THAT'S WHAT ONE DOES WHEN THEY ILLEGALLY DOWNLOAD AND, STILL, BUY BOOTLEGGED COPIES. IF ANYONE OFFERS TO BURN YOU A PHYSICAL CD, PLEASE DECLINE THE OFFER, AND TELL THAT PERSON(S), "THAT'S NOT RIGHT MAN ! ... OR GIRL, THE MINT DOESN’T DESERVE THAT" .... STOP THAT VICIOUS CYCLE. IT STARTS WITH US, THE CONSUMER. ON BEHALF OF MINT CONDITION, SHANACHIE RECORDS, AND THE MANY ARTISTS WE ENJOY LISTENING TO, I LOVINGLY SAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH !
Musically Yours,
Ran Man
PROPS ..........
Thank You Very Much Jeff Taube For Everything ! Your Friendship ?? .... PRICELESS !!
Thank You Very Much O'Dell .... Speaking of which, did someone ever walk off with that Rick James Live DVD ??
Thank You Very Much Lawrence "El" Waddell .... How's that Queen Rock Montreal DVD treatin' you ?!
Thank You Very Much Ricky Kinchen .... For just bein' cool, .... and NOT lettin' anyone walk off with your Rick James Live DVD !
Thank You Very Much Jeffrey Allen .... and just how many times are u gonna watch that Steely Dan "Aja" Classic Album DVD man ?!?!
..... and last, but certainly not least, Thank You Very Much Stokley .... for that voice, and you just bein' a good friend !
..... and Thank You Very Much Shanachie Records for believin' in these talented musicians, and just all around good people, my boys, Mint Condition !
Official Website : www.mintconditionmusic.com
Facebook : www.facebook.com/#!/mintconditionmusic
MySpace : www.myspace.com/mintconditionmusic
Reverb Nation : www.reverbnation.com/#!/mintcondition
Twitter : www.twitter.com/mcondition?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=mcondition&utm_content=57854744470884352&ref=nf
You can purchase a copy of "7" at Amazon.Com : www.amazon.com/7-Mint-Condition/dp/B004NCOQZG/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1302633124&sr=1-1
FOR BOOKING INFORMATION:
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