Mint Condition is always energetic, always soulful, highly melodic, highly creative and forever MINT. They quickly caught the eyes of the crowd when they took the stage at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. Mint Condition is definitely one of the greatest R&B bands from the 90s through the present. Their latest album, 7, marks their 20th year anniversary as a band. They are currently nominated for two Grammys, Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance.

Fans and newcomers to their music partied hearty as Mint Condition gave the crowd another truly remarkable show. In the days of synthesizers and auto tune, MC is a real band with real musicians that continues to deliver unique and creative music. Mint Condition’s music is a masterpiece of funk, guitar popping rock, a touch of hip hop and swooning, soulful ballads. When you hear the words “soulful ballads,” do not be mistaken, Mint Condition can deliver a ballad so cool and funky that men and women alike can bounce to it.

Multi-talented front man, Stokley Williams was genius with his vocals, his dance moves and his unmistakable drum performance. The rest of the band didn’t disappoint either. Solos from bassist Ricky Kinchen and guitarist Homer O’Dell had the crowd screaming for more. Always cool, yet very intense, Jeffrey Allen delivered a sweet, soulful saxophone solo. Each band member effortlessly played their instruments while dancing and spinning the entire time. Do these guys ever get tired? If they do, you won’t ever see it onstage. There is so much energy on the stage that by the time they are finished performing, I am tired for them.

The crowd enjoyed hits such as “So Fine”, “U Send Me Swinging” and “You Don’t Have to Hurt No More.” Stokley unleashed his musical prowess on songs like “Atomic Dog” and “Soul Power.” This showed their versatility and depth of their craft. The crowd went absolutely wild when Kelly Price stepped on the stage for her duet with Stokley on the Grammy nominated song “Not My Daddy”.

http://youtu.be/JTDN93SS5EU

I absolutely love this band. They are undeniably one the hardest working and rocking bands that I have seen in my time. The energy and quality of musicianship is remarkable. The highlight of the show for me was the finale. The band finished up their set with the hit “Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes).” The crowd went nuts and I can’t wait for them to return to Los Angeles. I’ll be front and center.

– Submitted by Rochelle Matthews, Music Design