How do you compare or rank them to bands from "back in the day"?

I think they are tied with roots right now for best band for this era but in comparison to past bands they rank very low. I say this for one reason; singing. I just don't think Stokely's voice is that impressive. He sings alright but not that great. A lot of the bands from yester years had great vocalists. I do have to say that I've never seen them live, though.

Weak kiddie stuff, imho. How did they get associated with Prince?

IshmaelB said:

Define "kiddie stuff" ? Like you think the demographic for their work is based on that targetgroup ? Maybe they temporarily tried to reach that audience with one of their last singles.
"Baby Boy", but their catalogue is much more varied than "kiddie stuff" imo. They started with danceable newjack swing in the early 90's, but their sound matured through the years,
like on albums such as "Defenition Of A Band" and "Life's Aquarium". Worth to check those if you haven't heard them yet.

Rick James used 2 call Prince's funk - kiddie funk.

I rank them as a very versatile band. Saw them perform last year and they could turn their show from funk to rock to jazz to contemporary r&b.
What i dig is that Stokley adds his tight drum-skills and steeldrum in their mix of r&b. On "Life's Aquarium" they added an accordeon-solo to the track "Spanish Eyes".
Those sorta things makes them stand out imo, besides their impressive talent.

I really like Mint Condition and I would never call their music kiddie stuff. I do miss the depth in their overall sound that seems missing since Keri Lewis left. (maybe that's just me?)

I think Stokley is fine as a lead singer and vocalist.

...And you should go see them perform LIVE.

MC is awesome live. I love their music because I love real instruments.

MC can hang with any band from any era. Just listen 2 live set and u will hear what I'm talking about. They are as versatile is they get.

candy2277 said:

Vocalists are NOT musicians. Nurses are NOT doctors.

bobsteezy said:

I don't think their overall sound has changed (maybe even stronger) that much but i along with a few others i know think the songwriting is somewhat limited
without Keri as Keri and Stokley were the strongest songwriters
in the band. The thing that impresses me the most about Mint is
while other bands may have 10 or more musicians on stage Mint does
it with just six which is usually the current 5 members plus a
drummer either Terry Wesley/Chris Dave and still sound excellent.
Right now Mint Condition is the only post 90's artists that when they
come to town it's Automatic that i'm getting tickets.

Cinnie said:

Stokeley is a musician.....and a vocalist.

Graycap23 said:

Cinnie said:

He plays keyboards, piano, guitar and drums.

[Edited 7/26/09 18:09pm]

Mint Condition are killer.

As GrayCap mentioned, Stokley plays numerous instruments, as do other members of the group. It's not uncommon to see only a few of the band members' names listed on song credits.

I dare someone to find a signed group (especially a contemporary one) that can meet them toe-to-toe, genre-to-genre, hit-for-hit, musicianship-for-musicianship.

ThreadBare said:

lol.....I'd like 2 see that as well. Mint would wipe the floor with 'em.

Graycap23 said:

And, they'd be oh-so-likely to change up arrangements of their setlist, too -- just for good measure.

Those cats...

ThreadBare said:

Exactly right.....have u seen the Mint "Love and happiness" clip?

Graycap23 said:

No, I haven't.

Do share, brother. Do share...

Which, sadly, reminded me of Buckwheat getting shot.

ThreadBare said:

Peep this clip of Chris Dave:

ThreadBare said:

Ridiculous.

IshmaelB said:

U have NEVER seen Mint Condition perform your life time with this type of comment.

ThreadBare said:

lol.....Gotta LOVE these cats.

I like how O'Dell has really made the Fly and NiteFly his signature axes. Gets awesome tone out of 'em.

ThreadBare said:

I'm going 2 pick me up a Parker later this year. O'dell was playing the cloud 4 a while.

ThreadBare said:

That's what i'm talking about. They are the only post 90's act when they
come to town i'm getting tickets automatically. You know what you're
getting live. Some artists are just studio artists. These guys are
far from that. Just like in the past when you went to go see EWF, you
know you were getting a show. Same with mint.

Graycap23 said:

You play lead.

phunkdaddy said:

I'm a keyboard player but I dig NICE guitars.

Mint Condition is cool; I like them. My favorite song by them is "U Send Me Swingin". Love the harmony in that song! Gonna listen to it now, and fall in love with it all over again.

IshmaelB said:

They started their recording career on Jam & Lewis' Perspective label, and guitarist O'Dell currently performs with the Minneapolis tribute-band "The Truth".