Mint Condition at Sweet’s Ballroom, Oakland, CA. – December 1, 2006 … - I had the pleasure to watch Mint Condition perform Friday night at the historic Sweet’s Ballroom in downtown Oakland. Mint Condition based in St. Paul, MN. is a six man group of musicians with chops that make other musicians bow down. Sometimes I wonder if Mint is too complex for the average music fan. They play intricate funk, on top of the ill rhythms of drummer Chris “Daddy” Dave.

At the Friday show, ‘Mint’ played many favorites from their collected released work. Lead singer, multi-instrumentalist, Stokley Williams also tipped that the group has targeted the “second quarter” of 2007 for a new cd.

Bandleaders Stokley, and bassist Rick Kinchen moved the ‘Mint Show’ with this set list; (not in exact order) Sista, It’s Hard, So Fine, Whoaa, I’m Ready, If it Wasn’t For Love, Forever in Your Eyes, You Don’t Have to Hurt No More, Runaway, What Kind of Man Would I be?, Swingin, Ten Million Strong (snippet), What You Bring to the Party, Someone to Love, (encore) Breakin My Heart, and Are You Free? (slow funk version).

John “Jubu” Smith was invited on stage for the encore. He jammed with the band as he and O’Dell played rhythm guitar together. “Jubu” is a talented songwriter/producer known for his work with Tony! Toni! Tone’!

Highlights for me included the hard-rocking It’s Hard, and the soulful rendition of Forever in Your Eyes. I liked the whole show – but was really moved during the Jeffrey Allen solo on Baritone Saxophone. During the part of the show that could be known as “Jeffrey’s Part” - he controlled the stage with energy and skill.

Stokley is an artist that will improvise during a show. He played guitar and drums and handled the microphone like a veteran. Mostly, it was all good although his “trumpet” scatting during What Kind of Man Would I Be interrupted the flow of an outstanding tune that has been bolstered by an added ‘break-it-down’ arrangement at the end. The above criticism is a ‘nit-pick’ but also worth noting as honest feedback from a fan.

The drum-off portion of the show between Chris Dave, and Stokley is incredible to see. “Daddy Dave” nonchalantly plays difficult patterns while Stokley matches him beat for beat. Every band should be lucky enough to have a guy as talented as Chris Dave. It is ridiculous how good he is.

I was surprised that there was no Mint Condition gear for sale. They had CD’s and posters but no T-Shirts or Hoodys. The venue did offer well staffed bars, a V.I.P. Lounge area, and food. For $10 you could buy a plate of fried chicken and jambalaya. Or for $5 you could have just chicken or just jambalaya.

A DJ played about 45 minutes worth of tunes before the show started. He had some good mixes and some really bad off-key blends. By my guesstimation roughly 300-400 turned out for the show. Cost was $25 in advance or $30 at the door. It was $50 for the V.I.P. Lounge.

bobsteezy said:

Mint Condition may not get a daily post here (like MJ/Madonna/Mariah/etc), but they're commented on periodically from folks that appreciate true R&B based music from a currently active self-contained group of seasoned musicians.

Many that are enamored of what is presently foisted off as R&B probably wonder why the band is in the foreground, where's the Busby Berkeley herd of dancers and the Barnum & Bailey hype-men barking orders to the audience.

It seems when people are genuinely moved by a performance, they don't have to be told to get up or wave their hands from side to side.


Nice review. I hope they bring the show down the road to L.A.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

hey Bob,I didn't know you were here in the Bay Area

I heard them mentioning this show on KBLX the other day.

Thanks for the review. "Forever in You Eyes" is one of my favorite ballads by these guys. Glad you enjoyed the show.

These gents are WAY under valued. They may be my second favorite group of all -time behind Prince. And that's saying a lot.

theAudience said:

They were here this past weekend Dec 2 at Vault 350 in Long Beach. I'd already seen 'em 2 yrs ago (same place) and didn't make much fuss about this time. They are a very good band, but lyrically too romantic for my tastes. They get "Hi-5" props for getting a huge amount of sistas showing up.

Not to worry, they will return in February to the same venue. Check Vault 350 calendar; some good choices for your inner fusion-geek.

http://tickets.vault350.c..._shows.asp

Chris Dave is still playin with them ?
I thought he bounced.

PFunkjazz said:

I said L.A. not L.B.

Seriously though, thanks for the tip. I've been meaning to check out Vault 350.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

Yeah that's quite a haul from your part of the area. Keep an eye on Malibu Inn, because they are owned by the same folks and they share bookings (there's a link on the venue site). Also the Canyon Club, much closer to you, features a lot of the same acts en route.

Mint was supposed 2 drop a new cd in October 2006.....I hope they keep the new scheduled date.

ya know...you folks keep talking about MC but i dont think ive ever heard any of their stuff...were should i start?

sosgemini said:

Best of.....but any of them will do.

SoulAlive said:

Actually, I am in the Sacramento area.

stopHATING said:

I was surprised to see him as well. But there he was! He blew my mind...

Graycap23 said:

Grey ---

Stokley said look for new CD in 2nd qtr of `07.

sosgemini said:

If you spend 15 bucks at I-tunes, grab these...

Good for Your Heart
My High
Fidelity
Always
Someone to Love
Definition of a Band
Single to Mingle (live version)
So Fine
U Send Me Swingin'
What Kind of Man Would I Be?
Who Can You Trust
That's the Way It's Going Down
If Trouble Was Money
Raise Up
Sista

bobsteezy said:

Chris is NO joke. This dude is OFF the chain...but so is the band.

bobsteezy said:

I know. They are a few months behind schedule. Thanks 4 the update.

Are they still closing the show with a "remix" version of "Pretty Brown Eyes" that's heavy on a wierd drum rhythm? If so, that's my favorite part of their show. The way dude keeps up that wicked beat for the entire song makes for a nice listening experience.

damn, wish i could see the Mint live again, i love to see Stokely sizzlin' his sexy vocals all over my soul