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albums
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- The Collection (1991-1998)
- Released 1998
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- E-LIFE
- Released 2008
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- Definition Of A Band
- Released 1996
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- From The Mint Factory
- Released 1993
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biography
Formed in the early '80s in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Mint Condition began as lead singer Stokley Williams, guitarist Homer O'Dell, keyboardist Larry Waddell, keyboardist/saxophonist Jeff Allen, keyboardist/guitarist Keri Lewis, and guitarist/bassist Rick Kinchen. The six talented musicians combine a variety of influences and experiences to shape their own sound. Williams began playing classic West African instruments at the age of four, while O'Dell grew up listening to his father play blues bass and singing with him in a family group. Waddell played in a recording arts band at school and mastered keyboards by listening to jazz greats Oscar Peterson and Herbie Hancock. Exposed to his father's extensive jazz collection, Allen played keyboards and sax in local bands throughout his high-school years, as Lewis was mastering keyboards, percussion, and guitar while attending school. Kinchen's first and strongest influence was his family, all of whom played instruments and encouraged his interest in music. He developed his skills as a bass player by listening to records by Stanley Clarke and Louis Johnson of the Brothers Johnson. Kinchen played in various bands in his native Chicago and performed at several productions at Kennedy-King College before moving to the Twin Cities.
The band was featured at the 1986 Minnesota Black Musician Awards program and built a strong core following for itself in a five-state area (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Dakota, and Nebraska) as a result of its dazzling, highly energetic live shows. Mint Condition came to the attention of Minneapolis soul producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as a result of a showcase performance in 1989. The band had steady success beginning with the hits "(Breaking My Heart) Pretty Brown Eyes" and "Forever in Your Eyes" from its debut, Meant to Be Mint, and with "Nobody Does It Betta" and "(U Send Me) Swinging" from its second album, From the Mint Factory; the group continued with the platinum success of the single "What Kind of Man Would I Be" from its gold album Definition of a Band. Going into the 21st century, Mint Condition were the only high-profile R&B/pop band with a major-label recording, represented by their excellent Life's Aquarium, issued in November 1999. Throughout the early 2000s, their profile wasn't nearly as high, but their core following remained and developed along with a sporadically released but consistently high-quality series of albums, including Livin' the Luxury Brown (2005), Live from the 9:30 Club (2006), and E-Life (2008). ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide
The band was featured at the 1986 Minnesota Black Musician Awards program and built a strong core following for itself in a five-state area (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Dakota, and Nebraska) as a result of its dazzling, highly energetic live shows. Mint Condition came to the attention of Minneapolis soul producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as a result of a showcase performance in 1989. The band had steady success beginning with the hits "(Breaking My Heart) Pretty Brown Eyes" and "Forever in Your Eyes" from its debut, Meant to Be Mint, and with "Nobody Does It Betta" and "(U Send Me) Swinging" from its second album, From the Mint Factory; the group continued with the platinum success of the single "What Kind of Man Would I Be" from its gold album Definition of a Band. Going into the 21st century, Mint Condition were the only high-profile R&B/pop band with a major-label recording, represented by their excellent Life's Aquarium, issued in November 1999. Throughout the early 2000s, their profile wasn't nearly as high, but their core following remained and developed along with a sporadically released but consistently high-quality series of albums, including Livin' the Luxury Brown (2005), Live from the 9:30 Club (2006), and E-Life (2008). ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide
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comments
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Love, listening
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- By bluejedi8707
- 4/23/2009 17:31:51
- love listening to mint condition..
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brown eyes
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- By chocolatemuzik
- 2/20/2009 02:37:26
- Love, love listening to mint condition...especially pretty brown eyes...makes you want to think about that special person in your life.
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Msljlm
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- By msljlm
- 2/11/2009 00:49:59
- I've enjoyed this music for many years. I lost touch with it until i heard "Nothing Left To Say" and it brought back so many memories from days past. Their sound is unmistakable (Stokley). and of course the harmonizing background. EXCELLENT EXCELLENT! I absolutely fall in love with this group lyrically every time i hear them. PEACE AND HAIR GREASE! HOLLA!
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MC
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- By Nubian75
- 10/8/2008 13:03:54
- I had their latest CD E-File for a long time I guess when it 1st released. So I just reunited and started playing it again and man I've always loved these boys...though I don't have all their CD's I know their music and this is just another beautiful compilation
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Cool
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- By Bei Gee
- 7/30/2008 06:51:49
- I jus gotta let you guys know that yall are THE greatest band ever...I soooooo happy that you guys put out another CD!!!!!!!!!!!
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most played
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tour dates
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8
- Dec
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- Alexandria, Virginia, US
- December 08, 2009
- Birchmere
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9
- Dec
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- Alexandria, Virginia, US
- December 09, 2009
- Birchmere
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