Just after buying their "Life's Aquarium"-album when it came out, this deep slowjam with Clare's dramatic string-arrangements instantly caught my attention :



(Spoken Words, Stokley):

"Got this feeling in my heart,
Thats yearning for you
I hope that you feel the same
This yearning that I do.


Chorus :

If you love me
like you say you do
won't you show me
just how much you do
If you love me unconditionally
Say that you always, always be with me


Verse 1 :

In my heart, there is a love that's yearning for you.
Let me know if you feel the same, this yearning that I do.
All I know is that i need a love, to give me what I need.
Dont be afraid or hestitate, I'm trying to make you see,
Oh, its gotta be.


Chorus :

If you love me
like you say you do
won't you show me
just how much you do
If you love me unconditionally
Say that you always, always be with me


Verse 2 :

Oh the words that you didnt say, pushed me away from you.
Words of love that I need to hear, to let me know you do.
Through the night, I dry my eyes for now I have learned.
Lonley tears, they fall the same, when love is not returned.
Love is not returned.


Chorus :

If you love me
like you say you do
won't you show me
just how much you do
If you love me unconditionally
Say that you always, always be with me
[Edited 6/15/09 6:52am]

Always loved that song from the Mint!

Timmy84 said:

right on !

I visited an amazing show of them last year. At one point Stokley sat himself behind the second drumset onstage and the band started doing a serious jazzjam. Man, i lost it !
These cats are so versatile. I still would like to experience them doing a live version of "If You Love Me" with a full string-orchectra on stage. That would be outta this world.

Shango said:

I'm dying to see them perform live on TV or on the computer one day!

Timmy84 said:

Yeah, i've seen live-performances from BET's Video Soul before on youtube but haven't checked if they're still online though.
You're not able to visit the upcoming show which they do as a joint-venture with Lalah Hathaway ? ... Or is that show already performed ? I'll have to check that related topic lol.

Shango said:

I don't know if I could.

Timmy84 said:

Ah, okay lol. Maybe they might tour at other places in the US and you can visit those. But their shows are defenitely worth to experience. Last year was the second time i ever saw them shine.
First show was a support-act for Toni Braxton. One of their keyboard-players has or had a relationship with Toni. At that first show i only could hear the encore because me and buddies were stuck in traffic.
So the second show was such a great rewind, and they blew me away with their incredible musicianship. Awesome bridges and changes within songs which they brought so natuarally.

Shango said:

You mean Keri Lewis?

Timmy84 said:

K.L.....her hubby.

Graycap23 said:

Yeah I think that's what Shango was talking about.

classic.

Great song from a very underrated album. Elektra dropped
the ball on a great album Life's Aquarium.

Timmy84 said:

Cinnie said:

phunkdaddy said:

Yeah, there are some solid songs on that joint !
I dig when they mix an accordeon in "Spanish Eyes", just like they recorded steeldrums in their earlier albums. Unusual added instrumentation which stands out.

4 U Mint heads.....there was group called Soultry back in the day. They had a couple of songs produced by Mint.....that sounded like Mint all the way. Very good tracks. U should check those out if u get a chance.

Graycap23 said:

Hey cool. I vaguely remember that groupname. Will check it out !

Shango said:

Yeah spanish eyes was nice. I also like the funk drenched Touch That
Body, Be Like that Sometimes, and the hidden track If you play your cards.
Other ballads i liked were Is this pain our Pleasure, the accoustic Just
the Man for You, and Tonight. Life's Aquarium and Livin the Luxury Brown
are my favorite Mint albums.

phunkdaddy said:

I'd probably rank those 1 and 2.

Graycap23 said:

I'm surprised because i know most fans like From the Mint factory
and Definition of a band 1 and 2.

phunkdaddy said:

In my book they are all 1a. - 1b. - 1c.- 1d.