Graycap23 said:

Didn't play for me Graycap is it the not my daddy song?

This is not Mint Condition. This is Kelly Price's single featuring Stokley on her

album. Another orger posted it a couple of days ago. Mint Condition is in

the lab now working on that future Masterpiece to be released this year.

phunkdaddy said:

This is not Mint Condition. This is Kelly Price's single featuring Stokley on her

album. Another orger posted it a couple of days ago. Mint Condition is in

the lab now working on that future Masterpiece to be released this year.

Mint Condition is on the instruments, but it is titled "Kelly Price - Not My Daddy [Duet w/ Stokley of Mint Condition]. This is a good song tho!

This is Mint's new single that's out right now too

Good song, I just prefer the live version tho

Album out in April 2011

[Edited 1/15/11 0:34am]

DNickz said:

phunkdaddy said:

This is not Mint Condition. This is Kelly Price's single featuring Stokley on her

album. Another orger posted it a couple of days ago. Mint Condition is in

the lab now working on that future Masterpiece to be released this year.

Mint Condition is on the instruments, but it is titled "Kelly Price - Not My Daddy [Duet w/ Stokley of Mint Condition]. This is a good song tho!

This is Mint's new single that's out right now too

Good song, I just prefer the live version tho

Album out in April 2011

[Edited 1/15/11 0:34am]

Saw 'em live New Year's Eve...they killed it.

DNickz said:

phunkdaddy said:

This is not Mint Condition. This is Kelly Price's single featuring Stokley on her

album. Another orger posted it a couple of days ago. Mint Condition is in

the lab now working on that future Masterpiece to be released this year.

Mint Condition is on the instruments, but it is titled "Kelly Price - Not My Daddy [Duet w/ Stokley of Mint Condition]. This is a good song tho!

This is Mint's new single that's out right now too

Good song, I just prefer the live version tho

Album out in April 2011

[Edited 1/15/11 0:34am]

Is this going to be the lead single though? From what i read it was just a thank you track

for fans in England.

I love their body of work. I really do. I just never want to hear another ballad from them again. It is my biggest nightmare to see such a talented group of musicians turn into a "prom band" like they have.

BlaqueKnight said:

I love their body of work. I really do. I just never want to hear another ballad from them again. It is my biggest nightmare to see such a talented group of musicians turn into a "prom band" like they have.

I kinda agree. Love much of their ballad stuff, but.....geez.......

BlaqueKnight said:

I love their body of work. I really do. I just never want to hear another ballad from them again. It is my biggest nightmare to see such a talented group of musicians turn into a "prom band" like they have.

Better go check them live if you haven't already because that's where they deliver their

musical chops. They have had so much success with ballads radio wise it seems they don't

want to waver much from their audience. Ironically their debut album only had 3 ballads.

I think prom band is far too strong because if that were the case they would be Atlantic Starr

and i wouldn't even listen.

Honestly, if they do have one prom ballad it would be that damn What Kind of Man Would I

Be. I like the song but it wouldn't hurt my feelings one damn bit if i never heard them play

it again. It's my least favorite ballad by them.

[Edited 1/15/11 23:28pm]

Her voice is beautiful. Underrated singer.

BlaqueKnight said:

I love their body of work. I really do. I just never want to hear another ballad from them again. It is my biggest nightmare to see such a talented group of musicians turn into a "prom band" like they have.

Go to youtube and search MC live at the Birchmere Pts 1 & 2

phunkdaddy said:

Better go check them live if you haven't already because that's where they deliver their

musical chops. They have had so much success with ballads radio wise it seems they don't

want to waver much from their audience. Ironically their debut album only had 3 ballads.

I think prom band is far too strong because if that were the case they would be Atlantic Starr

and i wouldn't even listen.

Honestly, if they do have one prom ballad it would be that damn What Kind of Man Would I

Be. I like the song but it wouldn't hurt my feelings one damn bit if i never heard them play

it again. It's my least favorite ballad by them.

[Edited 1/15/11 23:28pm]

Come on, Phunk. You KNOW I know what time it is with them. As many Mint threads as I have startd on here, you KNOW I know. I'm just saying that with each record, they seem to lean more and more heavily on their ballads. The first three Mint records are by far GREAT records...not good - GREAT. Its just that before, they had ballads as singles but they had some great jams on the CDs. Now, they have more and more ballads. Regardless of what I think of Mint as a band, the rules don't change - not even for them. You have to drop the dance floor gems and strong uptempo tracks. Ballads are cool for "Midnight Hour" radio play but they have laid a foundation. Its expected that they come with the sophisticated funk/jazz grooves that they are known for. They betta tear sumpthin' up!

phunkdaddy said:

Better go check them live if you haven't already because that's where they deliver their

musical chops. They have had so much success with ballads radio wise it seems they don't

want to waver much from their audience. Ironically their debut album only had 3 ballads.

I think prom band is far too strong because if that were the case they would be Atlantic Starr

and i wouldn't even listen.

Honestly, if they do have one prom ballad it would be that damn What Kind of Man Would I

Be. I like the song but it wouldn't hurt my feelings one damn bit if i never heard them play

it again. It's my least favorite ballad by them.

BlaqueKnight said:

Come on, Phunk. You KNOW I know what time it is with them. As many Mint threads as I have startd on here, you KNOW I know. I'm just saying that with each record, they seem to lean more and more heavily on their ballads. The first three Mint records are by far GREAT records...not good - GREAT. Its just that before, they had ballads as singles but they had some great jams on the CDs. Now, they have more and more ballads. Regardless of what I think of Mint as a band, the rules don't change - not even for them. You have to drop the dance floor gems and strong uptempo tracks. Ballads are cool for "Midnight Hour" radio play but they have laid a foundation. Its expected that they come with the sophisticated funk/jazz grooves that they are known for. They betta tear sumpthin' up!

[Edited 1/16/11 9:35am]

phunkdaddy said:

This is not Mint Condition. This is Kelly Price's single featuring Stokley on her

album. Another orger posted it a couple of days ago. Mint Condition is in

the lab now working on that future Masterpiece to be released this year.

Yeah, I posted about it here http://prince.org/msg/8/350687 but didn't think it was appropriate to call it a Mint Condition track.

phunkdaddy said:

DNickz said:

Mint Condition is on the instruments, but it is titled "Kelly Price - Not My Daddy [Duet w/ Stokley of Mint Condition]. This is a good song tho!

This is Mint's new single that's out right now too

Good song, I just prefer the live version tho

Album out in April 2011

[Edited 1/15/11 0:34am]

Is this going to be the lead single though? From what i read it was just a thank you track

for fans in England.

Yep, This the Lead Single from their forthcoming 7th Studio Album.

It went for adds [for Radio Airplay] Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

Another ballad single from the Mint.

DNickz said:

phunkdaddy said:

Is this going to be the lead single though? From what i read it was just a thank you track

for fans in England.

Yep, This the Lead Single from their forthcoming 7th Studio Album.

It went for adds [for Radio Airplay] Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

Another ballad single from the Mint.

Thanks. I checked it last night. First time i heard the studio version.

Real nice soulful ballad.

MC puts out ballads for a reason.... That's where they make most of their bread and butter from and what their audience praises them for. Its a formula that works so they stick with it... Makes perfect sense IMO.... Remember when they dropped "Are You Free" as thier first single and no one was listening? Then "Pretty Brown Eyes" came afferwards went gold....so they followed with "Forever In Your Eyes" after that which was another top 10 R&B hit.

Next album... They dropped "Nobody Does It Better" and again... no one was really listening.... So then "U Send Me Swingin'" followed which was a bit hit and "Someoen To Love" etcetera....

Definition Of A Band era... they realizd right away what their first hit should be... a ballad. "What Kind Of Man Would I Be" was a gold selling big hit single and anotehr ballad "You Dont Have to Hurt No More" followed....

What I'm trying to say is, Yes they should be more versatile with the singles that they release..but they know what works and what doesnt work for them... They aint tryna be no "prom band". LOL. Thei are balladeers, so they gonna release ballds as singles... If you wanna hear MC uptempos and dance tracks, listen to the album cuts.

mrjun18 said:

MC puts out ballads for a reason.... That's where they make most of their bread and butter from and what their audience praises them for. Its a formula that works so they stick with it... Makes perfect sense IMO.... Remember when they dropped "Are You Free" as thier first single and no one was listening? Then "Pretty Brown Eyes" came afferwards went gold....so they followed with "Forever In Your Eyes" after that which was another top 10 R&B hit.

Next album... They dropped "Nobody Does It Better" and again... no one was really listening.... So then "U Send Me Swingin'" followed which was a bit hit and "Someoen To Love" etcetera....

Definition Of A Band era... they realizd right away what their first hit should be... a ballad. "What Kind Of Man Would I Be" was a gold selling big hit single and anotehr ballad "You Dont Have to Hurt No More" followed....

What I'm trying to say is, Yes they should be more versatile with the singles that they release..but they know what works and what doesnt work for them... They aint tryna be no "prom band". LOL. Thei are balladeers, so they gonna release ballds as singles... If you wanna hear MC uptempos and dance tracks, listen to the album cuts.

I'm not sure if this is directed towards my post but since I'm the one that brought it up, I will suggest that you RE-READ what I said. I didn't think it needed clarification but just in case:

There is no question where they make their money. That is not the issue nor was it the issue on this thread. The ISSUE: Here it comes....look for it....BALANCE.

Again, BALANCE.

ONE MORE TIME: BALANCE.

To the general public, of course, they are primarily a ballad band. The difference is that when you listen to the CDs, you knew that they were NOT just a ballad band but were a true band who had ballads as singles. With each CD after the first three, they are dropping more and more slow songs and less uptempo tracks. The BALANCE is off.

Before, when people would say shit like "Maroon 5 is the funkiest band out", those of us in the know would always snicker and say "Mint". But with each CD release, they are becomeing more and more ballad based. I bought the last CD purely out of support for the band but it is the least listened-to of my Mint CDs. It is their lack of funk/jazz/rock grooves that is spinning them into a stereotypical box. They are turning into Jodeci. Once that happens, a bit of the appeal drops off because they are cutting off a piece of what made them better than the bands around them. I just don't want to see that happen. They are a talented bunch of guys who are more than just an R&B ballad band.

If Prince started doing shows where he only played his ballads, people wuld shit bricks and swear that Larry Graham or somebody has brainwashed him again. Well, I'd like to see Mint avoid going down that road. That's all I'm saying.

This track with Kelly is a nice track. I hope it helps get her some push.

[Edited 1/18/11 9:12am]

Speaking of balance...............I'd love 2 see Mint pursue more of a ROCK side. They get nasty with the rock intro's and outro's during their live sets.

Just created a thread on this not seeing this one.

Um... I love MC, I do, and I do LIKE the song, but I don't LOVE it. It's so... typical for them... even lyrically there's nothing really special about it. It's very MINT CONDITION and that's why they've been so popular with die hards like myself for so long. But I agree I wish they'd branch out and do more rock or something because I've seen them live several times, I KNOW they are capable of rocking out while still putting that MC stamp on it.

Looking forward to the album tho, hopefully there'll be some songs on it that will blow me away. I love Stokley's voice, but I'm kinda tired of the ballads.

jaybendy said:

Just created a thread on this not seeing this one.

Um... I love MC, I do, and I do LIKE the song, but I don't LOVE it. It's so... typical for them... even lyrically there's nothing really special about it. It's very MINT CONDITION and that's why they've been so popular with die hards like myself for so long. But I agree I wish they'd branch out and do more rock or something because I've seen them live several times, I KNOW they are capable of rocking out while still putting that MC stamp on it.

Looking forward to the album tho, hopefully there'll be some songs on it that will blow me away. I love Stokley's voice, but I'm kinda tired of the ballads.

Have u checked out the new Ursus Minor cd? Stokley is ALL over it.

BlaqueKnight said:

mrjun18 said:

MC puts out ballads for a reason.... That's where they make most of their bread and butter from and what their audience praises them for. Its a formula that works so they stick with it... Makes perfect sense IMO.... Remember when they dropped "Are You Free" as thier first single and no one was listening? Then "Pretty Brown Eyes" came afferwards went gold....so they followed with "Forever In Your Eyes" after that which was another top 10 R&B hit.

Next album... They dropped "Nobody Does It Better" and again... no one was really listening.... So then "U Send Me Swingin'" followed which was a bit hit and "Someoen To Love" etcetera....

Definition Of A Band era... they realizd right away what their first hit should be... a ballad. "What Kind Of Man Would I Be" was a gold selling big hit single and anotehr ballad "You Dont Have to Hurt No More" followed....

What I'm trying to say is, Yes they should be more versatile with the singles that they release..but they know what works and what doesnt work for them... They aint tryna be no "prom band". LOL. Thei are balladeers, so they gonna release ballds as singles... If you wanna hear MC uptempos and dance tracks, listen to the album cuts.

I'm not sure if this is directed towards my post but since I'm the one that brought it up, I will suggest that you RE-READ what I said. I didn't think it needed clarification but just in case:

There is no question where they make their money. That is not the issue nor was it the issue on this thread. The ISSUE: Here it comes....look for it....BALANCE.

Again, BALANCE.

ONE MORE TIME: BALANCE.

To the general public, of course, they are primarily a ballad band. The difference is that when you listen to the CDs, you knew that they were NOT just a ballad band but were a true band who had ballads as singles. With each CD after the first three, they are dropping more and more slow songs and less uptempo tracks. The BALANCE is off.

Before, when people would say shit like "Maroon 5 is the funkiest band out", those of us in the know would always snicker and say "Mint". But with each CD release, they are becomeing more and more ballad based. I bought the last CD purely out of support for the band but it is the least listened-to of my Mint CDs. It is their lack of funk/jazz/rock grooves that is spinning them into a stereotypical box. They are turning into Jodeci. Once that happens, a bit of the appeal drops off because they are cutting off a piece of what made them better than the bands around them. I just don't want to see that happen. They are a talented bunch of guys who are more than just an R&B ballad band.

If Prince started doing shows where he only played his ballads, people wuld shit bricks and swear that Larry Graham or somebody has brainwashed him again. Well, I'd like to see Mint avoid going down that road. That's all I'm saying.

This track with Kelly is a nice track. I hope it helps get her some push.

[Edited 1/18/11 9:12am]

Well I wasnt making my post directed to anyone, but just posted in general. I agree with you... there should be balance, but I guess they choose to put out what works for them in terms of the singles the release. The same could be said about numerous artists out there.... Balance may work for some, but not for everyone, so artists will release what they can to the general public/their market, and then try put their balance towards their albums instead, if possible.

In no way are they turning into a Jodeci.... Sure Jodeci ate off slow jams, just like Mint Condition, but Mint Codnntion has a way better balance on their albums compared to Jodeci. Jodeci made some terrible uptempos on their albums... Thats why they sticked to slow jams.. Mint didnt make terrible uptempos, its just that they were not "hit material" when you heard them, and didnt catch on to audiences like Tony Toni Tone's dance tracks for example. But they still made some enjoyable funky uptempos.

As far as Prince only doing his "ballads" on his shows, that will never happen... Why? Because he HAS uptempo hits. Numerous uptempos... And with that said you gotta give credit to Mint Condition. Though they dont really have any party starters, they still are able to play a wide selection of mid-uptempo album cuts on their albums at shows, that werent even released as singles, but has everybody on their feet at their shows. I have yet to see Boyz II men or Jodeci even do that and they were the two biggest male R&B gorups of the 90's. They always singing the same old slow jams at thier shows.

Overall, its different strokes for different folks, If it aint broke, dont fix it. They seem to be doing well with what they have released so far, so they dont really need to change it up after 20 years in the industry, Ppl looking for uptempo MC songs know where to find them. Not everybody can be a Michael Jackson, or Stevie Wonder and put out any type of song that ppl will listen to regrardless lol. But I agree with you. I'd like to see "balance", but I don't mind their balladry.

mrjun18 said:

MC puts out ballads for a reason.... That's where they make most of their bread and butter from and what their audience praises them for. Its a formula that works so they stick with it... Makes perfect sense IMO.... Remember when they dropped "Are You Free" as thier first single and no one was listening? Then "Pretty Brown Eyes" came afferwards went gold....so they followed with "Forever In Your Eyes" after that which was another top 10 R&B hit.

Next album... They dropped "Nobody Does It Better" and again... no one was really listening.... So then "U Send Me Swingin'" followed which was a bit hit and "Someoen To Love" etcetera....

Definition Of A Band era... they realizd right away what their first hit should be... a ballad. "What Kind Of Man Would I Be" was a gold selling big hit single and anotehr ballad "You Dont Have to Hurt No More" followed....

What I'm trying to say is, Yes they should be more versatile with the singles that they release..but they know what works and what doesnt work for them... They aint tryna be no "prom band". LOL. Thei are balladeers, so they gonna release ballds as singles... If you wanna hear MC uptempos and dance tracks, listen to the album cuts.

Perfectly said.

mrjun18 said:

BlaqueKnight said:

I'm not sure if this is directed towards my post but since I'm the one that brought it up, I will suggest that you RE-READ what I said. I didn't think it needed clarification but just in case:

There is no question where they make their money. That is not the issue nor was it the issue on this thread. The ISSUE: Here it comes....look for it....BALANCE.

Again, BALANCE.

ONE MORE TIME: BALANCE.

To the general public, of course, they are primarily a ballad band. The difference is that when you listen to the CDs, you knew that they were NOT just a ballad band but were a true band who had ballads as singles. With each CD after the first three, they are dropping more and more slow songs and less uptempo tracks. The BALANCE is off.

Before, when people would say shit like "Maroon 5 is the funkiest band out", those of us in the know would always snicker and say "Mint". But with each CD release, they are becomeing more and more ballad based. I bought the last CD purely out of support for the band but it is the least listened-to of my Mint CDs. It is their lack of funk/jazz/rock grooves that is spinning them into a stereotypical box. They are turning into Jodeci. Once that happens, a bit of the appeal drops off because they are cutting off a piece of what made them better than the bands around them. I just don't want to see that happen. They are a talented bunch of guys who are more than just an R&B ballad band.

If Prince started doing shows where he only played his ballads, people wuld shit bricks and swear that Larry Graham or somebody has brainwashed him again. Well, I'd like to see Mint avoid going down that road. That's all I'm saying.

This track with Kelly is a nice track. I hope it helps get her some push.

[Edited 1/18/11 9:12am]

Well I wasnt making my post directed to anyone, but just posted in general. I agree with you... there should be balance, but I guess they choose to put out what works for them in terms of the singles the release. The same could be said about numerous artists out there.... Balance may work for some, but not for everyone, so artists will release what they can to the general public/their market, and then try put their balance towards their albums instead, if possible.

In no way are they turning into a Jodeci.... Sure Jodeci ate off slow jams, just like Mint Condition, but Mint Codnntion has a way better balance on their albums compared to Jodeci. Jodeci made some terrible uptempos on their albums... Thats why they sticked to slow jams.. Mint didnt make terrible uptempos, its just that they were not "hit material" when you heard them, and didnt catch on to audiences like Tony Toni Tone's dance tracks for example. But they still made some enjoyable funky uptempos.

As far as Prince only doing his "ballads" on his shows, that will never happen... Why? Because he HAS uptempo hits. Numerous uptempos... And with that said you gotta give credit to Mint Condition. Though they dont really have any party starters, they still are able to play a wide selection of mid-uptempo album cuts on their albums at shows, that werent even released as singles, but has everybody on their feet at their shows. I have yet to see Boyz II men or Jodeci even do that and they were the two biggest male R&B gorups of the 90's. They always singing the same old slow jams at thier shows.

Overall, its different strokes for different folks, If it aint broke, dont fix it. They seem to be doing well with what they have released so far, so they dont really need to change it up after 20 years in the industry, Ppl looking for uptempo MC songs know where to find them. Not everybody can be a Michael Jackson, or Stevie Wonder and put out any type of song that ppl will listen to regrardless lol. But I agree with you. I'd like to see "balance", but I don't mind their balladry.

Also Mint isn't your typical ballad act. A lot of their ballads pack a punch and live they always

chunk it up. If you listen to them play You Send Me Swingin and Whoaa live they actually

funk the tempo up on those songs and the crowd goes Swinging hard from side to side on both

songs. I don't mind the ballads that they do as long as they don't come with another pop

infected ballad like What Kind of Man Would I Be.

Mint Condition new single is really cool, I look forward to hear their album

As for this duo between Stokley and Price, I think it's a pretty good song and its funny how it's refreshing to come back to that good ol 90's R&B in that time of Ibiza-pop R&B

[Edited 1/19/11 6:36am]

mrjun18 said:

Overall, its different strokes for different folks, If it aint broke, dont fix it. They seem to be doing well with what they have released so far, so they dont really need to change it up after 20 years in the industry, Ppl looking for uptempo MC songs know where to find them. Not everybody can be a Michael Jackson, or Stevie Wonder and put out any type of song that ppl will listen to regrardless lol. But I agree with you. I'd like to see "balance", but I don't mind their balladry.

That's MY point; don't start coming with CDs full of ballads when you didn't previously. That's all I'm saying. The CDs are getting slower and slower. I understand that people have to eat but is also a CHOICE. Ever heard that song "You are what you say you are?"

Example: Eric Benet put out a GREAT record. I like it but I'm not going to listen to it a lot becasue there are so many ballads and ballad-like mid-tempos. Its a great record; I just don't want to hear slow shit all of the time.

[Edited 1/20/11 2:39am]

BlaqueKnight said:

mrjun18 said:

Overall, its different strokes for different folks, If it aint broke, dont fix it. They seem to be doing well with what they have released so far, so they dont really need to change it up after 20 years in the industry, Ppl looking for uptempo MC songs know where to find them. Not everybody can be a Michael Jackson, or Stevie Wonder and put out any type of song that ppl will listen to regrardless lol. But I agree with you. I'd like to see "balance", but I don't mind their balladry.

That's MY point; don't start coming with CDs full of ballads when you didn't previously. That's all I'm saying. The CDs are getting slower and slower. I understand that people have to eat but is also a CHOICE. Ever heard that song "You are what you say you are?"

Well, that's true. They have plenty of great uptempo songs. Its the labels that want to compartmentalize them. It seems that they have allowed themselves to be pushed around a bit, too. Nobody comes up with songs like "Funky Weekend", "Change Your Mind", "Good For Your Heart" and even "True To Thee" (just to name a few) and expects them to NOT be singles. Those final decisions are made by suits who don't know shit about the music they are deciding on. As an artist, you have to fight to do what you want to do musically. Sometimes it comes at a price but no risk; no gain. That's how it is. I find their work appealing either way and I'm a guarenteed sale for the most part. I'm just expressing my desire to hear them stay in line with the course of the first three records in terms of balance and not become a caricature of themselves, playing a bunch of well-crafted slow songs and falling short on the fast jams. That's all I'm saying. I don't think that's too much to ask.

Example: Eric Benet put out a GREAT record. I like it but I'm not going to listen to it a lot becasue there are so many ballads and ballad-like mid-tempos. Its a great record; I just don't want to hear slow shit all of the time.

[Edited 1/20/11 2:39am]

I hear you though.... It's not the suits all the time though... It's all about business. If MC is dropping these uptempos first singles to get their albums going, but it aint making no noise/money, then they put out ballads and ppl start paying attention, thats whats gonna get the labels some money, radio and video play, shows, so they have to go by that. Now don't get me wrong, IMO, songs like Good For Your Heart, Here We Go Again, Touch That Body etc. are great songs tahat should heave been singles if marketed correctly, but from previous experiences it didnt look like it was a good money making idea to release them as singles, so it was left for the album instead.

I think they got more freedom though once they started that Cage Bird records imprint they had with the LTLB album is 2005. You notice by the amount of alternative/rock songs that they shoved at the end of that album.

I also would say that FTMF (my fav), DOAB and LA were thier most balanced albums. MTBM was not balanced at all. 3 ballads (which were the best songs on the album), and the rest is energized uptempo new jack. lol...

mrjun18 said:

I hear you though.... It's not the suits all the time though... It's all about business. If MC is dropping these uptempos first singles to get their albums going, but it aint making no noise/money, then they put out ballads and ppl start paying attention, thats whats gonna get the labels some money, radio and video play, shows, so they have to go by that. Now don't get me wrong, IMO, songs like Good For Your Heart, Here We Go Again, Touch That Body etc. are great songs tahat should heave been singles if marketed correctly, but from previous experiences it didnt look like it was a good money making idea to release them as singles, so it was left for the album instead.

I think they got more freedom though once they started that Cage Bird records imprint they had with the LTLB album is 2005. You notice by the amount of alternative/rock songs that they shoved at the end of that album.

I also would say that FTMF (my fav), DOAB and LA were thier most balanced albums. MTBM was not balanced at all. 3 ballads (which were the best songs on the album), and the rest is energized uptempo new jack. lol...

MTBM was the first record. When you really listen to it, its much more than energized newjack. There is some great musicianship on those records. Even though I disliked newjack swing, I really liked that disc. What they did was put strong musicianship into a format that people could swallow at the time. There was very little newjack swing that was much more than a repititious swing loop. Teddy "4-8 bar beat" Riley ruled the airwaves then and that's all he did back then until MJ made him actually work. Mint's first disc is a stong one. If you stripped away the beats and just listened to the arrangements, the vocals - everything! Its a good record. DOAB is probably my favorite, followed VERY CLOSELY by FTMF. Back to my point: Ballads are restrictive. I have made this point many times on this board and been proven right time and time again. Uptempo songs get more play than ballads. People in general listen to them more frequently. I'm not saying they shoould abandon their formula. I'm just stating the facts. This is how the corporate media has been controlling R&B for the past decade or two and cultivating a "rap culture" in "urban" music. They were trying to dumb down music in general and bands were not part of the plan. I'm glad they were able to survive the "black band anihilation" that went on in the 90s but they survived because they were great when everyone else was just "okay" and they had the fan base to prove it. I just hope this next disc is a reflection of that greatness. I think we see pretty much eye-to-eye on this, though.